Teyah Parent, features editor

At Augsburg University, a new student organization is bringing creativity to campus life. Known as The Art Society, this club is the university’s newest art club, founded with the goal of building a welcoming, expressive community centered on creativity in all its forms.

“Augsburg Student Art Society, in short, is Augsburg’s Art Club,” said Pluto Koehnen, the club’s president and founder. “Our goal is to help create a community based on art of any form.” The club is run by Koehnen alongside Erika Hannon, Lauren Heseltine, and Ada Alkire. Meetings are typically held in Old Main 6 on Tuesday or Thursday nights.

The Art Society is open to everyone. Regardless of major, year or identity, any student can attend and participate. At their most recent meeting, Koehnen noted that many queer undergraduates were in attendance. “Art Society is a safe place for anyone,” Koehnen emphasized. In a time when many students are searching for connection and understanding, the club aims to provide both through creativity.

The group has already begun exploring a variety of artistic mediums. Their first major    event    was a collage night, where students experimented with hands-on 2D and 3D collages. The activity encouraged participants to express themselves freely while getting to know one another. After spring break, the club plans to host a film and coloring night, though the exact movie has not been decided yet. Attendees can expect snacks, coloring sheets and a cozy atmosphere.

Looking ahead, The Art Society hopes to expand its programming even further. Koehnen shared that future events may include ceramics, painting, baking or cooking projects and collaborations with other student organizations. By branching out across disciplines, the club hopes to reach students who may not consider themselves artists but are curious to try something new.

For Koehnen, the motivation behind founding The Art Society is both personal and communal. They were surprised that Augsburg did not already have a general art club, especially given how visible and active the art department is on campus. “For me, art is a way to express my feelings and thoughts about everything going on in the world,” they explained. Much of their own artwork is rooted in political themes and everyday challenges. Creating The Art Society was a way to ensure that others have a safe outlet for similar expression during these uncertain and overwhelming times.

“It’s scary to start a student organization as a [first year]—you don’t really know the procedure,” Koehnen admitted. Still, they expressed pride in having taken the leap and gratitude for the support they received along the way. Their long-term vision is not only to host engaging and inspiring events this year, but also to build a foundation that will last well beyond their time at Augsburg.

Whether through murals, decor or simply providing a consistent place to create, The Art Society is going to be a vibrant addition to Augsburg’s community. Students interested in getting   involved can attend meetings or follow updates on Instagram at @augsburgsas, through Corq and on campus bulletin boards.