Eight unexpected places to find inspiration on campus
By Liz Reichart// A&E Editor
Two students playing the Nascar Race game at the Point Arcade. Photo by: pinterest.com
As a graphic design major, I often find myself trying aimlessly and desperately to reinvent the wheel, tiptoeing deadlines, tightening my creative process until the process turns to dust. From the ceramics studio to the writing lab, students oftentimes find themselves in need of a spark of inspiration, the creative momentum to send them charging up the mountains of fruitful work.
1. Sculpture Garden: Most students don’t even find this hidden gem of a garden behind the Slane fountains during their four years at HPU. This garden is full of winding paths that wrap around outdoor artwork. Find that seated Buddha statue and feel serene about the work in front of you.
2. Darrell E. Sechrest Art Gallery: Did you know we have our own art gallery on campus? It’s my place of respite and solitude in the chaos of campus life. Located inside the David Hayworth Fine Arts Center, the Sechrest Gallery hosts rotating exhibitions, bringing in artists and perspectives from all walks of life. You would be amazed at the high-caliber of art shown in this beautiful space and the conversation just one piece in a collection can begin. The gallery is open from late August through late April from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
3. The Point Arcade: Sometimes all it takes to get inspired is to blow off some steam. I love the bright lights and the cacophonous roar of the arcade for its high-energy environment. See spheres collide on the billiards table, or play one of the 100+ video games available for rental.
4. Cottrell Hall’s “Think Tank:” My parents told me never to scribble on the walls, but I think they would make an exception for this creative space. The walls in the “Think Tank” are made of whiteboard – in short, write your heart out! Solve that equation “Good Will Hunting” style. There’s no telling where a couple of dry erase markers can take you when you’re not afraid to make permanent mistakes.
5. Smith Library’s Third Floor: You’ll be in awe when you walk through the shelves holding High Point University’s 250,000 books. Find your inspiration in Chaucer or Caravaggio- it doesn’t matter. If you want to read up on a subject, start here. Map out your game plan on one of the single desks or wander through the stacks at will.
6. Centennial II Amphitheater: Seeing this outdoor amphitheater lit up at night will give you chills. Attend outdoor concerts, speakers and awareness events in this beautiful arena setting and find the spark you need.
7. Nido Qubein School of Communication’s Third Floor: You have never seen a view of your university like this before. Enjoy those stylish but sumptuous brown leather chairs and look out onto the promenade and let the view inspire something great from within you.
8. New Construction on Campus: This seems like an odd-ball suggestion but I love watching the progress of the new construction on our campus, how those steel skeletons become classrooms that cater to our students. Be sure to throw a glance at the Congdon School of Health Science and Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy across from the School of Education as it nears its completion.