Department of Art
The Student Art Sale at UAF started in the ceramics studio, thanks to the Student Ceramic Art Guild (SCAG), a student club closely tied to the ceramics program. With support from faculty mentors, SCAG has played a key role in bringing renowned artists to campus, hosting workshops, and offering public lectures. To help fund these activities, SCAG launched the art sale, giving ceramic students the chance to sell their work, often for the first time. This sale has become a valuable learning experience where students get hands-on practice in pricing, organizing, and presenting their art.
Since it began, the Student Art Sale has expanded beyond ceramics, with other studios gradually joining in over the past five years.
The financial side of the Student Art Sale can be a bit tricky, especially with the university鈥檚 regulations around handling money. For instance, SCAG uses the sale to fundraise, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the club鈥檚 activities and the rest going to the student artists. This setup allows SCAG to navigate the process with fewer restrictions compared to department-run sales, which face stricter rules. Other studios at UAF manage their sales in various ways鈥攕ome run their sales independently, while others opt out. For clubs like SCAG or the Student Arts Alliance North (SAAN), the sale is a great opportunity to support their missions while giving students a platform to sell their work.
For students whose studios do not participate in the Student Art Sale, involvement requires initiative. These students must work with their faculty and peers to create opportunities, such as joining clubs like SAAN, starting their own studio-specific club, or working with faculty to determine if a studio sanctioned sale was beneficial. Participation in the sale is contingent upon having the support of faculty and being part of an organized effort, whether through a studio or a student club.
For students whose studios don鈥檛 participate in the Student Art Sale, getting involved takes some initiative. These students can work with their faculty and peers to create opportunities, such as joining clubs like SAAN, starting their own studio-specific club, or collaborating with faculty to see if a studio-sanctioned sale would be beneficial. Participating in the sale depends on having faculty support and being part of an organized effort, whether through a studio or a student club.
