The basement of McGregor Hall, home of the B-Side Arts Collective, transformed into a hub of creativity on the evening of Jan. 30.
Erik Quezada, associate director of the Butler Center and advisor for B-Side, expressed appreciation for the collective’s mission. As someone who values creativity, he said he “loves what the club stands for and the values it espouses.”
In preparation for the event, organizers met with participating artists. During the meeting, Toby Meier ’27 shared what makes the collective so compelling, emphasizing that B-Side serves as a resource for students. “We are a club that is a tool for people to use,” Meier said.
The collective takes initiative to provide access to art supplies, music equipment and a dedicated space where students can express themselves creatively.
For Meier, the power of the event lies in its ability to foster oneself through creative expression.
“Seeing people’s art as an extension of themselves, putting that up, I think just adds a whole other layer,” he said.
The gallery showcased a diverse range of artwork, encouraging participation and reflection.
McGregor’s basement glowed with colored lights as projectors screened films in a dedicated viewing room, while other sections featured headphones connected to audio-based art. The night “sparked a lot of conversation,” Kass Ullmann ’27 said.
The event featured music from Sadie Almgren ’26 and Julian Clark ’26, who produces music under the alias Piper Cinnamon. The gallery featured drawings, collages, an interactive sculpture and other works from student artists across campus.
The highlight of the evening was a live mural installation, an idea introduced by Haley Goetting ’26, where students were invited to paint freely, adding whatever comes to mind without a predetermined vision.
Since the end of her senior year of high school, Goetting has been deeply involved in painting and joined B-Side during her first year at CC. Now serving as co-chair of the collective, she reflected on the organization’s impact on her growth as an artist.
“Everything that art needs to be is tied into B-Side,” Goetting said, adding that the first B-Side gallery event she went to her freshman year was “life-changing.”
B-Side emphasizes creative expression and accessibility to resources, providing students with a platform to share their work while prioritizing engagement.
The collective’s commitment to uplifting student voices remains a central focus.
Ivan Trejo ’27, an aspiring filmmaker and creative director of B-Side, emphasized the importance of supporting “typically underrepresented artists” by providing space for students to share their work and receive recognition for their contributions.
“We want to thank them for what they contribute… but also provide some form of monetary support. We had a stipend for our artists,” Trejo said. He added that this is a benefit other campus clubs “should strive” to implement.
B-Side not only promotes student creativity but also works to make campus events more equitable, recognizing the time and effort students invest in events like the gallery.
Among the many students who displayed their work was Ullmann, who showcased clothing on a mannequin and invited attendees to try it on.
“I had a newfound sense of community,” Ullmann said, following the event. “A student collective hosting art — I think I’m actually tearing up. It was so beautiful.”
The event centered on art while also uplifting B-Side’s vision as a space that fosters creative expression and encourages deeper conversations. B-Side is “more political and a space to educate people,” according to Issa Nasatir ’26.
“I think a lot of people here are more similar than we might expect, or than it seems on the surface,” Lillian Fuglsang ’26 said. “In a world where we are often socially isolated and alienated, having this physical space to come together and share ideas is incredibly important.”
B-Side embodies layers of value, fostering creative resistance while providing a space for creation and expression. The gallery proved successful both as a showcase of student artwork and as a catalyst for conversation, much like the mural that was filled by the end of the night.