Arts and crafts can serve as a relaxing and inventive experience for people of all ages. College students, especially, can benefit from crafting by using it to relax after a stressful day of academics. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find a space for creativity on such a busy college campus.
After receiving a high demand for craft-related events in 2021, Student Union staff decided to create a space for students to craft more frequently.
“UB student groups inspired The Craft Room,” Elizabeth Hladczuk, Student Union Assistant Director for Events and Reservations, said in an email to The Spectrum. “There was a clear change in the activities that the students were craving. I was able to track this increase over a couple of semesters and started to explore the possibility of offering a specific space for these activities.”
Since then, Student Union 377 has transformed into The Craft Room — a space for students to unleash their inner artist. Whether it’s painting, planting or needlework, this imaginative space provides supplies to create extraordinary projects or doodle for relaxation.
“There’s a bunch of stuff here. It's actually pretty good that the university does something like this because we’re able to have fun, get our creativity flowing. I think it's a great initiative,” senior economics major, Yugen T Kannu Sivakumaran, said.
Many students have made visits to The Craft Room a part of their weekly routine.
“I come here a lot — probably three times a week. I like painting and drawing sketches. They have almost everything I need. I love it so much,” freshman computer science major, Shreya Patel, said.
While some do not see themselves as natural artists, The Craft Room offers a pressure-free environment for students to explore their creative side. Many students come in without ideas. They simply create what enters their imagination. The endless possibilities that come to fruition are exactly why students love The Craft Room.
“You don't need a plan. You don't need to ask permission to come in. You just do whatever you want. That's how creativity flows,” Sivakumaran said.
Aside from crafting innovative projects, students have treated The Craft Room as a toolkit to restore sentimental items.
“I was in The Craft Room and a student came running in, her hands cupped around something small and delicate. Her necklace had broken, and she had heard that there are jewelry making tools available in our space. She fixed her necklace, sat down for a couple of minutes to color, and charged her phone. This is what The Craft Room is all about,” Hladczuk said.
Between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., students can enjoy The Craft Room at their leisure. After 4 p.m., this space can be reserved by groups of 18 or less students. The Craft Room accepts donations in their main office, Student Union 228.
Haley DiMisa is the assistant features editor and can be reached at haley.dimisa@ubspectrum.com
