Many students are still uncertain about their plans after graduation, but one group has banned together to accomplish a common goal: to paint, exhibit their artwork and prepare for the post-graduation world as artists.
The Painters’ League is quickly approaching its sixth year of existence, and Katie Naquin, painting junior and president of the Painters’ League, said the organization is “getting better and better each year.”
“We started off more exclusive and have opened up to include everyone,” she said. “We started to take trips and get together to concentrate on what to do after graduation. I find that LSU does a wonderful job at teaching you skills in painting, but they lack in teaching you what to do after graduation.”
Although the organization only has 15 members, Naquin said she’s hoping to recruit more next semester.
The Painters’ League meets twice a month to hold painting critiques and workshops.
The group met Thursday to discuss how to construct a website, and other workshop topics have included how to make a business card and how to build a portfolio.
Naquin said the organization is geared toward painting, but many members are also interested in other forms of art, including sculpture and photography.
Before beginning her first semester as president, Naquin said the former president asked if the organization should be exclusive to painters and art majors, but Naquin, who was previously a psychology major, rejected the idea.
“I don’t want to exclude anyone that has a passion for painting,” she said. “For example, one of our members is a biology major, but painting is very much a part of her life.”
Naquin said she didn’t always want to be a professional painter.
“When I was little, I had the assumption that painters didn’t make any money,” she said. “When I was punished and sent to my room, I’d paint something and slide it under the door to my mom. She always thought painting would be part of my life.”
Naquin said she joined the Painters’ League as soon as she discovered the organization.
“I wanted to use every possible resource I could to get exposure and do the best work that I possibly could,” she said. “It might be hard to make money at first, but it’s my passion.”
Once a month, the Painters’ League hosts a “painting party” open to all students on the second floor of Foster Hall from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Students can show up at their own time to work on their paintings.
During the 12-hour day, Naquin said students look forward to painting with fellow students.
“We have people of all levels from freshmen to seniors and grad students,” she said. “There’s no professor over your shoulder, and it’s not for a grade.”
The next Painters’ League’s paint party is Sunday.
From April 23 to 26, the Painters League and the Ceramic Art Student Association will host the Fresh Paint Sale.
During this sale, club members will show and sell their artwork from the semester.
Artists in the clubs will receive 100 percent commissions for their sales, and non-members can sell their paintings for a 75 percent commission. The additional 25 percent profit will go toward the club’s funds, which may include the cost for supplementary shows or a club trip, Naquin said.
Joshua Stanford, Painters’ League member and interior design sophomore, said he has been painting for years and studied visual arts at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.
Stanford said he learned about the organization at the Organization Fair in the Cotillion Ballroom. 
“They told me what Painters’ League was, and I liked what they were offering and what they were about,” he said. “I enjoy painting for the community and painting for fun.  As long as it has to do with painting and getting creative, I’m all about it.”
Although he isn’t studying art at the University, Stanford said he paints to express himself.
“Painting releases your creative side and shows people what you stand for,” he said. “It could be finger painting or beginning with acrylics.”
Stanford said he recommends painters of all expertise to join the organization.
“It doesn’t matter what level of experience you’re at,” he said. “No one should be afraid to think about how someone would critique their work. There’s always going to be critics for any artwork, so you should just go for it.”
 
____
Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]