JORDYN HOLKA
Reverb Editor
Fredonia is full of students with more artistic ability than they could possibly know what to do with, making for an enriching and exciting environment. When these talented individuals decide to convene in one room to celebrate their talents, the environment in that room can be described as nothing short of electrifying. Welcome to the monthly Fredonia Art Trade Week, or F.A.T. Week.
When GiAnna Ligammari, an illustration/animation major, transferred to Fredonia last semester, she found that a transfer in the middle of the school year made it difficult to meet new people and forge friendships with fellow artists.
“I just felt like there was something missing in the community: a way for artists to meet other artists, to connect [and] network — which is exactly what you should be doing in college,” she said.
With this goal in mind, Ligammari came up with the idea of F.A.T. Week, or one week each month during which students from all majors are afforded the opportunity to sign up, get matched randomly with another participant and then spend the week creating a piece of art for that other participant. At the end of the week, all participants gather to exchange artwork with their matches, as well as to view others’ pieces and enjoy casual conversation.
“I think it’s an important event that creates a community atmosphere in the art department,” said James Scamacca, a sophomore graphic design major whose sculpture was part of the October F.A.T. week that took place last week. “I think it’s a great way to create relationships between different art majors.”
But Ligammari is very adamant that F.A.T. week is not at all limited solely to art majors — anyone and everyone is encouraged to join.
Ana McCasland, a sophomore video production major whose owl sculpture was featured in last week’s show, stated, “I really like being able to do art with other artists even though I’m not an art major, so that’s nice that it opens up to everybody.”
The trade that took place this past Saturday, Oct. 18, culminated the Oct. 12-18 F.A.T. Week for the month of October. This was the second trade that has taken place thus far, as Ligammari just got the event off the ground at the beginning of the Fall 2014 semester.
At Saturday’s trade, over two dozen students milled around, looking at each others’ artwork and just talking about their weekends and their school work. It was a very relaxed yet energized environment: quite conducive to contemplation of the artwork hanging on the walls and displayed throughout the room.
A popular draw at the event was a small bird sculpture that looked as comical as it was impressive. Its creator, Mackenzie Sheldon, a senior ceramics major, said, “I like seeing what other people do [and] adding the 3D aspect — most of the stuff in here is 2D.”
While most of the artwork was, indeed, two dimensional paintings or drawings, there were a good number of sculptures and even a posted sheet that had a sign attached to it encouraging participants to draw and add their own touches to the piece.
Ligammari asks participants to keep their traded art in a safe place, as at the end of the fall semester she is planning an art show that will include all of the pieces that have been traded throughout the semester. The date of the show has not yet been announced, but it will definitely take place at the Birdhaus on Central Avenue in Dunkirk.
For those looking to get involved in F.A.T. Week in coming months join the Fredonia Art Trade Facebook page, on which all up-to-date information is posted and sign-ups are conducted.
“I love art trades, and I wanted a way to bring together artists in a recreational way — something to wind down with when other projects are getting to you,” said Ligammari. “You should join the art trade next time. You’ll love it.”