Photo Story: Art & Wonder Festival Held on Campus

Mary Blakely Heuer, a sophomore Music Education major, teaches a girl how to play the ukulele at the Grab a Uke and Jam station. (Kate Basler)

The Creative Arts Collective for Christian Life & Faith brought the first annual Art & Wonder Festival to life on Saturday, right on Belmont's campus.

The festival brought together live music, film screenings, art exhibitions, hands-on art activities, a kids zone, food trucks and vendors for Belmont students and the public to see.

Dr. Meaghan Brady Nelson paints words for people to stamp on an art piece in the Kids Zone. (Kate Basler) 

“I like all the booths, and I like that it's very interactive. I really like the clay part,” freshman Sophia Sweeney said. “I'm looking forward to trying some of the vendors and the film festival. It just sounds fun.”

A girl works with clay in the sculpting studio in the Bunch Library section of the festival. (Kate Basler)

The festival aligned with Belmont's parents and family weekend, allowing families to check it out as well.

Nashville-based musician and songwriter Phoebe Scott plays one of her songs on the GMA music stage. (Kate Basler)

“It has actually been really great. I brought my mother, her two brothers, myself, and then her godmother is also present. So it has been an experience with the food, the music, the things to buy — everything has went well together,” Ciara Gordon, mother of freshman Alexandria Gordon, said. 

A woman draws herself on the “God’s Image” art booth. (Kate Basler)

The festival also opened up volunteer opportunities for students. 

“I'm in the elementary music major. For part of our field experience, we got the opportunity to volunteer at Art & Wonder and do a uke jam with the kids.” Niamh O’Connor said.

Sophomore Music Education major Ainsley Mahoney teaches a girl how to play the clarinet. (Kate Basler)

The festival ran continuously from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., creating opportunity for numerous activities and diverse exhibits to unfold throughout the day.

“I thought it was wonderful. It had great exhibits and things I had not seen before. My daughter is also an art major, so to be able to see the different layers of art was very wonderful and telling,” Gordon said.

 Business owner Essence Collins talks to customers at her Vintage Essences booth. (Kate Basler)

The festival worked to bring the community together through exploration and art. 

“Seeing everyone's faces light up when they see this is so cool. I think everyone's just happy to be here,” O’Connor said.

A student volunteer face paints a girl's face in the face-painting section of the Kids Zone. (Kate Basler)

Written by Kate Basler