Thatiana Gibbs
Assistant Editor
The Campus Activities Board hosted a Mocktail Masterpieces event in the Campus Center Ballroom on Monday.
Aiming to provide students with a fun and relaxing experience, this was a PG version of the typical night out. The event blended creativity and connection, offering students an opportunity to unwind with friends while sipping on mocktails and creating their own art.
Catered by the University’s Bon Appetit, roughly 50 student attendees were treated to an array of refreshing mocktails. The drinks of the night included a Starry Soda base with flavors of Lavender, Mango, Mint, and topped with candy garnishes.
The highlight of the evening was a painting class led by the talented speed painter and artist, Evan Struck. After discovering speed painting in middle school, he became fascinated with the art form. Speed painting challenges artists to complete an entire piece within a limited time, usually 5-10 minutes.
In addition to his performance art, Struck offers painting classes called “My Masterpiece.” His “My Masterpiece” series, which offers in-person painting experiences for groups, was the foundation for the evening’s activity.
“A lot of the attendees that come to these classes have never painted before,” Struck said. “The goal is always to be able to offer a good painting experience, especially for students who have never picked up a paintbrush before. With the designs that ‘My Masterpiece’ offers, it’s always an experience that is fun and enjoyable, and easy to create.”
For the night’s painting project, participants were guided on a design called “Forest Reflections.” The piece featured a glowing sunset lowering over a quiet forest and lake, with rich shades of purple, red, and pink.
The collaborative and relaxed nature of the event made it a great way for students to decompress after a busy week. The sense of accomplishment by the end of the class was ubiquitous, with guests proudly showing off their version for a group photo.
“I love painting, so anything art related is a de-stressor from all things school related,” Abigail Ampong, sophomore biology major said. “I’m definitely excited to see any of the events, they’re fun, I go with my friends and we have a good time.”
Struck’s classes are perfect for beginners and are available for groups of all sizes to book, which adds a layer of accessibility to the art world.
“I think it looked like fun,” Mackenzie Castaneda, health administration graduate student said. “I really like the different events they’ve put on so far. I feel like they cater to everyone.”
CAB’s stage chair Danika Noriega organized the evening’s event. As stage chair, Noriega specializes in bringing live performances – music, comedy, or, even art – to the university community.
“I noticed on campus we have been having the stereotypical stage stuff like comedians and musicians, so I wanted to bring something different,” Noriega, senior business administration major, said. “I think it’s really cool that I get to bring something new to campus.”
Thatiana Gibbs can be reached at thatiana.gibbs@laverne.edu.
Thatiana Gibbs is a senior journalism major with a concentration in print-online journalism. She is a photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. Her enthusiasm lies in research, writing, and effectively delivering captivating information to the public eye. She has previously been an assistant editor and staff writer for the Campus Times, and a staff writer for La Verne Magazine.
