Editor’s note: A student interviewed for this story previously wrote an article for Sidelines on Sept. 15. The reporter was not aware of their involvement with Sidelines at the time of the interview.

To help students unwind before midterms, the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment’s Wellness and Engagement committee organized a pumpkin painting event on Wednesday, which provided students with a short, creative escape from the stress of school.

The event took place inside the air-conditioned Bragg building next to the Center for Innovation in Media. The tables were adorned with blue tablecloths, painting supplies, muffins and the namesake of the event: pumpkins. Event organizer and associate professor Gloria Green explained the thought process behind the event.

“It’s October, it’s fall,” Green said. “We wanted something that was a mental health break for people in the middle of the semester and middle of the day to relax.”

Students filled the stand as soon as classes ended at 10 a.m. A wide variety of designs quickly appeared on the miniature gourds, mimicking the wide array of paint colors and brush types. Some designs simply accentuated the pumpkin’s orange hue, while others pivoted into pop culture, painting their pumpkins with bright colors and giving them faces. 

One student in attendance, Jazlyn Flowers, enjoyed the chance to express her creativity. 

“A lot of people love to paint as a relaxation thing,” Flowers said. “[Pumpkin painting] was a really good idea for people to express their creativity.”

She later added that the event had brightened her day by bringing out her creative and social side.

“This morning, I was really cranky and not in a good mood,” Flowers said. “Just seeing the pumpkins sitting out and being able to paint them, that was probably the best part for me and seeing how happy everyone is and interacting with each other. I met some pretty new friends here. This was great.” 

SBCME’s Wellness and Engagement Committee has focused on creating bite-sized events, providing students, staff and faculty with small moments that help them briefly take their minds off work. Associate professor Leslie Haines and Green, the event’s organizers, highlighted their past pet therapy event as an example of this mentality.

“Every month, there will be some pets here … That’s a break, even if it’s a quickie on your way to class,” Green said. “Just pet a dog. Even if it’s just 10 or 15 minutes.”

Haines echoed Green’s sentiment.

“It’s that you’re focused on just that activity and not on your problems,” Haines said.

Another benefit of smaller and shorter events is the increased sense of community throughout the entire college.

“I enjoy meeting students that I don’t have in class,” Green said. “It’s a great opportunity; they’re relaxed, they’re more open to interact with each other, and with us.”

Green and Haines described the event as a success, with not one pumpkin left unpainted. Given the popularity and turnout, the organizers discussed what the future would hold for the Wellness and Engagement committee and hinted at springtime arts and crafts activities.

“We’ll be doing something throughout the whole year,” Green said. “We’ll do something creative in the spring. Who knows, maybe we’ll cut out hearts for Valentine’s Day.”

Haines mentioned that the committee is also open to ideas for future activities.

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