An LSU service and leadership organization spent last week gathering art supplies for the Baton Rouge community.
The National Residence Hall Honorary’s LSU chapter hosted ‘Crafted for Change,’ a supply drive aimed at helping support education resources. NRHH partnered with The Walls Project to give the donated supplies to the project’s Little Art Library.
In Free Speech Alley, students walked up to the NRHH table with a bag full of supplies to donate. Students could receive one community service hour for every two supplies donated. The drive collected items such as markers, glue, paper and scissors.
“I think we often overlook things like education and the purpose of art in education,” said Taylor Harper, NRHH’s vice president of service and sustainability.
Art is at the center of The Walls Project, a Louisiana-born initiative. Office manager for the project, Ann Riche, said the project tries to make Baton Rouge a better place through art.
Riche said the project started by painting murals on old buildings, then expanded into other actions. This included the Little Art Library, a free donation drop-off and pick-up spot for anyone looking for arts and crafts.
“If you don’t have anything, you don’t have to bring anything. It’s a free-for-all,” Riche said.
This resonated with Harper, who said children should not have to struggle to have a creative and fun education. From her hometown of Chicago, Harper knows what could happen when this access is restricted.
“I’m from a place where people don’t pick up pens and papers,” Harper said. “They resort to gun violence.”
Harper said she would rather someone learn how to color, multiply or divide with the supplies than end up in a bad environment because they could not afford them. She said the drive was about acknowledging the insecurities in education.
NRHH did not host the drive alone. The organization collaborated with LSU Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women to collect the supplies. Harper said she chose to contact those she knew had good traction on campus.
The groups made good on their promise. NCNW members like Cailyn Alexander proudly showed up with donations. Alexander, a mass communication sophomore, said her decision to donate was driven by her love for the arts.
Alexander said she wanted to give back to the next generation who want to pursue art. She said she hopes the drive results in an abundance of supplies that give someone the opportunity to express themselves.
For LSU Alpha member Chrisjen Williams, being involved was about fulfilling a core mission. Williams said the chapter focuses on advocating for the youth and making sure they go “onward and upward.”
Williams said the drive was a way to shed light on advocacy for the youth and have a good time for a good cause.
“Somebody is going to love some slime,” Williams said, after donating a six-pack of clear Elmer’s glue.
The donations will reach far beyond underprivileged youth. Riche said many teachers turn to the library to stock their classroom. She said oftentimes teachers have to pull from their own pockets to support their students.
In addition to helping others, the repurposing of supplies goes a long way for the environment.
Riche said most thrift stores do not accept art supplies, which causes items to end up in landfills.
“We want to give things a new life, whether it’s old buildings or art supplies,” Riche said.
Curious students who wanted to donate were directed to the Greek Suite and Campus Life Office where more donation bins were open through Friday.
The Little Art Library is currently located at 458 America St. but is moving to 509 St. Louis St. later this month. Find out more about the library here.
