As the end of the semester approaches, many students are feeling the pressure of final projects, assessments and essays. To help those under stress, the Special Events Committee hosted “Paint N’ Sip — Wild West Wearables” as part of their Western Week festivities.
On Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6-8 p.m., the sold-out event saw over 80 students gather in the Northern Center Ballroom, where they received their own straw cowboy hat, along with various painting materials to customize the accessory.
Attendees crafted and painted together as they talked with friends and met fellow students attending the event. An excited buzz filled the room as each student received their hat and began to plan out their individual designs.
One student, freshman pre-vet major Alexis Gouin, heard about the event on The Hub, where she signed up. She customized her hat to match a character in the popular anime “One Piece”. In between paint coats, Gouin spoke on the importance of having events like Paint N’ Sip amid the finals crunch.
“College is so stressful,” she said. “It’s nice to have an event for something to do other than study.”
After finishing her hat, Gouin planned to display it in her dorm or wear it on campus for other fans to see.
“There are a lot of ‘One Piece’ fans on campus,” she said. “I only recently got into it in 2021, and it’s cool to see other supporters at NMU.”
Along with the acrylic crafts, the event featured delicious mocktails that students enjoyed while painting, talking and relaxing.
Another student in attendance, Erin Sarjeant, dedicated the full two hours to creating a replica “Pink Pony Club” hat from Chappell Roan’s Grammy performance.
“I like craft nights,” Sarjeant said. “I get to socialize for free, and I get to create something I care about. Hopefully, I’ll find lots of excuses to wear it.”
Outside of “One Piece” and Chappell Roan, the hats depicted natural landscapes, fictional characters, movie quotes and abstract designs with each student bringing their own sense of creativity to the table.
In addition to Paint N’ Sip, the Special Events Committee hosted a Barnyard Bash, complete with live music and a mechanical bull, and a movie night showcasing the recent blockbuster “Twisters,” featuring Glen Powell and Kiernan Shipka.
If you were unable to attend any of Western Week’s activities, keep an eye out on The Hub and around campus for upcoming events as the final weeks of the semester roll around. If you or someone you know has ideas for future events that students might be interested in, contact the Special Events Committee on The Hub.
