Painting happy accidents

“We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents,” Bob Ross said. 

The Utah State University Student Association Series Committee held a Bob Ross Paint Night Thursday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom. 

“There was a really great turn out! We were blown away by the attendance and excitement at this event,” Series Committee member Mattie Mecham said. “We just want everyone to know that we love when they come to events on campus and hope everyone knows they are welcome.” 

Events like this usually take a while to organize. The planning for the paint night started a few months ago. This gives enough time for students to hear about it, get all the supplies needed, and work out any details or problems that may occur. 

“It was awesome because almost double the amount of people we all thought would come showed up,” Sophia Lesser-Thorngren said. 

Not all of the students who wanted to participate were able to though. Shortly after beginning, the event reached capacity so students were being turned away at the door. 

“These paint nights have always just been a fun way to get Aggies involved! We love how interactive it is,” Mecham said. 

One way for the university to get the word out about their events is using social media and posters or flyers around campus. Many events are posted on the student events Instagram @ususaevents. 

“My friends and I came because we are all in Kappa Delta and my big, Lesser-Thorngren, is the Arts Senator playing Bob Ross,” Ali Thomas said. 

During last year’s elections, Lesser-Thorngren was voted in as the Art Senator and she plans to do it again next year. This gave her the opportunity to play the role of Bob Ross. 

Lesser-Thorngren led around 1,000 participants through the paint night. After she chose which paintings to do, Lesser-Thorngren practiced multiple times at home prior to the event. She

decided to demonstrate two pieces for the event: one was a galaxy and the other was a sunset over the mountain. 

“Besides getting to dress up as Bob Ross, I think my favorite part was the interaction everyone was having with each other,” Lesser-Thorngren said. “I got to do my thing, giving an optional instruction for paintings- but all the while people were talking, laughing and having such a great time,” 

Students were able to have creative freedom during the paint night. Some people chose to take a different approach and create something of their own. 

“I love painting and this was an opportunity to get out of my dorm. I have followed some Bob Ross videos previously and it went pretty well. Because if you make a mistake, it doesn’t count as a mistake in Bob Ross’s eyes,” Savanna Seal said. 

For many students like Seal, this was the first paint night they have attended. She noticed that she kept falling behind the instruction, so she had to continue trying to catch back up. 

“I came tonight because I wanted to take part in weeks of welcome. It has been so fun and I am meeting new people,” Erin Fuloer said. 

USUSA continues to hold events that allow all students to participate in, create a space to meet new people, and expand their skills.