OPTIMIST
@acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist
COUNTDOWN
7
days until Sing Song
A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912
Volume CVIII, Issue XIX
Friday February 08, 2019
News
Sports
The Chess Club is looking for new members to compete, as they began their club this semester. Abilene Idol is preparing for a new season after Abilene citizens auditioned at the mall last week..................Page 2
Donelle Johnson was named to the Southland Conference preseason second team. Men’s basketball overcame Lamar to improve to third in conference..................................................................Page 6
F S S M T
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Feature Students have been preparing for Sing Song since the first week of the semester. They will perform Friday and Saturday for faculty, staff, alumni and peers..............................................Page 4
Photo by LEXI WALTER | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The women of Ko Jo Kai practice their Sing Song act on Thursday night. CAMPUS NEWS
ACU, ATEMS host STEM for Girls ASHLEY ALFRED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
ACU is partnering with the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Science, a local STEM high school, for an educational learning event for middle school girls. The STEM for Girls program is a half-day camp for middle school girls in the Big Country. The event was created by Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker, dean of the college of education and human services and Dr. Sarah Lee, ACU Dallas administrator and former chemistry faculty member, with the help of ACU STEM faculty. “Research tells us that girls tend to lose interest in the STEM areas in middle school,” Shewmaker said. “So a group of us who care about promoting the love of STEM developed this annual program to give girls an exciting, fun experience in STEM.” Shewmaker said they will have a variety of hands-on activities for the participants. “We have several stations that are all hands-on, fun activities that give the girls a chance to experience what it’s like to study or work in a variety of fields,” Shewmaker said. “The staSEE STEM PAGE 2
ABILENE NEWS
People Party Productions hosts vintage popup ASHLEY ALFRED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
A People Party Productions and Record Guys will cohost the Love Shop Vintage Popup on Saturday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. A People Party Productions hosts many popups in Texas, but is best known in the Abilene community for their bi-annual Craft Fairs. At each craft fair, the group collaborates with up to 50 vendors and small business owners to sell unique products. Jen Harmel, founder and curator of A People Party Productions, said the craft fairs have grown from about 20 to 50 vendors over the course of a few years, giving them the opportunity to reach out to local vendors for future events. Harmel said the popups
have become an opportunity for businesses and vendors to collaborate in marketing and sales of their products. Recently, they have coordinated multiple popups in Austin, helping them recruit people from the handmade market across central and west Texas. “It’s a great opportunity for people who have full time jobs and hobbies on the side to have an opportunity to present their product or even develop their brand and gain clientele,” Harmel said. “With the course of being an event coordinator for these markets, we realized it’s really a marketing tool for the people who participate and sell their products.” As A People Party Productions began hosting smaller popups in other cities, they decided to look into hosting similar events
in Abilene between the two craft fairs.
Harmel said she struggled to find a business in Abilene that was willing to co-host the vintage popup, as several local businesses do not see the value in collaborations for marketing events.
“Many Abilene businesses either don’t see the value of the marketing that we provide through an event that brings plenty of foot traffic, or they’re just so busy that they can’t really stop to get a full idea of the concept we are trying to give them,” Harmel said. “So it’s really a partnership we’re looking for, and it costs nothing to the business we co-host with.” When she reached out to Record Guys, she found a co-host that was eager to work on a themed event.
“When I reached out to the owner of Record Guys, I could tell that he understood the way his business would benefit from us being there, and he didn’t see us as an intrusion, but as a draw,” Harmel said. “So he’s definitely taking advantage of that and having some record sales. “Overall, we were looking for someone who values and appreciates the time and attention we put into all of our marketing, branding, and coordinating, but also can provide a cool vibe for the event that we’re going for.” Harmel said she is most excited to finally be able to participate in a popup shop. “I am typically so tied up in the event coordination and management, that I cannot participate in my own events,” Harmel said. “So I am really excited to be a vendor at this popup.”
Harmel said she has always been interested in vintage homemade goods and thrifting, but recently opened her side business, Esther’s Vintage Thrift, where she began selling all of the inventory she has collected over the years. “After meeting other small businesses that focus on vintage, I wanted to pull us together and throw a popup that was small enough for me to be able to participate in my own event,” Harmel said. “So I’ll be selling home goods and things I’ve thrifted at this event.” Vendors include: Esther’s Vintage Thrift, Hello Retro, Salty Lady Vintage, and Wilderness Sister. Weather permitting, the event will take place inside and out of Record Guys. Any changes due to weather will be posted online.
Intercollegiate Student Art Competition draws Abilene students EMMA CONATSER STAFF REPORTER
Celebrating a decade of collaboration between Abilene’s colleges and universities, the Center for Contemporary Arts is hosting the annual Intercollegiate Student Art Competition. From Jan. 23 to Feb. 23, entries from the local colleges will be on display in the gallery. On Feb. 14, awards will be given in four categories: two-dimensional non-digital, two-dimension-
al digital, 3-Dimensional, and photography. Winners are eligible for cash prizes, a one-year membership to the gallery as well as local recognition for their efforts. Trudy Six, gallery manager at the Center for Contemporary Arts, said she is eager for the Center to reach out to younger student artists. “We wanted to have a competition that was open to local college students,” Six said, “so they can see what local artists are doing.” Judged by local artists, the entries to the competi-
tion range from many levels of expertise. “We had over seventy-five entries this year,” Six said. “We get good participation from all of the universities, it’s kind of equal this year.” Anthia Nibizi, recently graduated painting major from Burundi, was one of last year’s winners. Her winning piece was this year’s poster for the competition. “It’s very inclusive, anyone can pretty much enter,” Nibizi said. “It includes all the different universities in
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town, so you get to see your competition.” Nibizi, after interning for the Center for Contemporary Arts, now works there as a part-time staff member, helping to put together competitions like this one. Having participated in the contest for two years, Nibizi shared advice for students interested in competing: “If you don’t get it, don’t be too hurt, art is subjective... Just keep working hard.” With the many opportunities offered to artists entering the competition, there
also comes the chance to sell their artwork. “We don’t ask, but if someone inquires, we contact the student,” Six said. Typically, when art on exhibit at the Center is purchased, a percentage of the sale goes to the gallery, but with this competition, all sales go directly to the student. Following the awards ceremony on Feb. 14, there will be a small reception for those in attendance. For more information, visit the Center for Contemporary Art’s website.