By Satyne Doner, Arts & Culture Editor
There is no question that art and culture are intertwined, with art feeding into culture and culture feeding into art. Through art, we can express our true selves and open to the beauty of what it means to be human. It can be deeply personal or used as a tool to connect with others.
Saint Leo University celebrates both art and culture and encourages students to participate in ways that feel authentic to their own journeys!
There are many ways to become involved in the spirit of the arts at Saint Leo. The school offers a handful of different clubs, organizations, and honors societies that cater to the arts. A few that come to mind are Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Psi Omega, and the K-Pop & Anime Club. For additional information on club events and organizations, students can check out EngageLeo!
For students interested in the theatre, Alpha Psi Omega (National Theatre Honor Society) is nationally recognized and aims to teach students the many skills and talents of the theatre. The organization stresses that anybody can join, not just theatre majors. Students can reach out to this honor society through email at saintleoalphapsiomega@gmail.com. Additionally, Saint Leo has a theatre program that does semesterly productions! This is separate from Alpha Psi Omega, but the two organizations work closely together. The Saint Leo Theatre program can be contacted at stleotheatre@saintleo.edu for more information.
Additionally, Sigma Tau Delta is an English honors society that celebrates the art of the English language. In this club, students will bond over books and writing. While there are some requirements to becoming an official member of Sigma Tau Delta, many of their events, such as open mic nights and literary readings, are open to everyone and students are heavily encouraged to participate! For any questions regarding Sigma Tau Delta, please contact Dr. Allyson Marino, one of the society advisors, at allyson.marino@saintleo.edu.
At Saint Leo, there are many cultures celebrated through art! The K-Pop & Anime Club brings awareness to Korean and Japanese cultures. They admire Japanese and Korean traditions, foods, and recognize K-Pop and Anime as art forms. It is a unique club, and anybody is welcome to join! Just email kpop.anime.club.slu@gmail.com.
Additionally, Saint Leo’s Music Department is always looking to welcome new students. They host semesterly productions, with the latest being their Spring Concert back in March.
Dr. Cynthia Selph, assistant professor of music and music ministry, is enthusiastic about adding new members to the music program. She hopes that students will come watch the semesterly productions and want to join in on the fun.
“I hope that students will be inspired to come and participate in the music program,” said Selph. “We’re always trying to recruit new students in.”
The fantastic thing about these clubs and organizations is that a student doesn’t have to be majoring in an arts program to join. These clubs are open to everyone with an interest in arts and culture—which means that a student majoring in accounting or criminal justice can still become involved.
However, for students that are majoring in the arts, these clubs offer them the chance to network and find opportunities within their career field. For Sarah Gilley, a sophomore seeking a degree in English with a specialization in professional writing, joining Sigma Tau Delta makes her look forward to finding internships.
“I can’t wait to join Sigma Tau Delta officially in the Fall because of the internship opportunities it offers. I feel like it’s the thing I needed to push me to the next level of my education,” said Gilley. “It’s like joining a family.”
Not ready to fully commit to a club or an organization at Saint Leo University? That’s okay! Students can still be involved in arts and culture in other ways. Students can speak to their academic advisors or student success coaches to learn more about classes offered on campus, like pottery, photography, painting, and poetry!
To conclude, Saint Leo offers many avenues for students who are interested in the spirit of arts and culture. Usually, on campus, information on clubs and flyers for events can be found on the bulletin board in the lobby of the Student Activities Building or on other bulletin boards throughout campus, such as the one inside Lewis Hall.
Through involvement in the arts, students can allow themselves to be more creative and join a community of like-minded individuals. They can learn important skills for their careers and raise awareness of different cultures.
Finally, if a student isn’t quite ready to join a club or just doesn’t have the time, supporting the arts and culture by reading The Lions’ Pride Newspaper is always a good way to get inspired!
