to the graduating class of 2020, with love from artsoc x

Ananya Jain (Secretary 2019-2020) in dialogue with our graduating committee members, Sebastian Taylor, Emma Rhodes and Bee Lucie Doksanská

the artsoc table at freshers’ fayre (image: Caroline Ip)

The ArtSoc Committee has always prided itself on being a family that is open and inclusive to everyone, but also one where close bonds are made easily. I remember being a fresher at my first ever EGM, but still feeling involved and welcome. And now, after two years of being on the committee, I think I'm so glad to say that I've met some wonderful people and had the loveliest of times with them. That is why seeing people leave is always difficult.

The end of this academic year has been a strange one for every single student around the world and furthermore so for those who were graduating. Since there was little time for a proper goodbye and graduation we decided to write a little something as an ode to our very own graduating committee members.

This interview provides a glimpse Emma, Bee, and Seb as they reflect upon their time at St. Andrews as members of the artsoc committee and talk about their plans for the future.

How long have you been on the artsoc committee? Why did you first decide to join?

S: I have been involved with Art Soc since the end of my first year at St Andrews. I was friends with Savannah Smith who recruited me to be the treasurer in her cabinet for the society. I signed my name on the dotted line after meeting with her for coffee in town, and now I’ve been heavily involved with Art Society ever since. 

a committee social 2020 (image: ananya jain)

E: I’ve been a part of the committee since my second year, so for the past four years now. I was a member of the society since my first year. Actually, I was first introduced to the society because my academic mother was on committee (!), but I am so happy she got me involved— being an art history student, I knew that I wanted to engage with the arty student scene, and I am so grateful that she invited me to Art Society events in my first year.

B: I have joined the ArtSoc Committee in my third year, therefore in September 2017 as a Publicity officer. It's a funny story actually. I wanted to join the Committee after I have been to the Creative Retreat in March 2017. I also started my vigorous art journey in December 2016 and I was trying to find any way possible to improve in my art. But during the EGM in September I was out of town.I actually had to skype call from my car to the EGM meeting to apply for a position that was left - the publicity. It was funny at the time, but who would have thought that skype/zoom agms and egms would become a thing in the future. Well, in general, I just really wanted to get involved in the art community in St Andrews, and I am glad, that I was bold enough and that I did! 

Tell us a bit about what has changed or stayed the same over the years, in the committee culture?

S: It has been such a ride seeing how it has grown: I suspect that when I first joined it was a relatively small committee (hence being somewhat strong-armed into the treasurer position). And each year we’ve grown and changed. It has been a wonderful thing to be a part of. Some of the changes I’ve seen over the years are a shift away from artist salons towards proper meetings. I think the salons were often a way to engage people and talk about committee work while providing a casual place to work as an incentive. This past year we had regularly scheduled meetings, and for the most part everyone was engaged in the meetings (when they could attend). It is really cool to see people voluntarily participating without any clear incentive save for seeing the other people in the committee. 

E: In my opinion, the society has changed a lot since my time on committee for the better. When I was first elected onto the committee, I was slightly intimidated as they were all a very close-knit group of friends. I remember thinking they were all so cool and hoping they would accept me. However, because they were so close, I think a lot of people felt like the society was slightly exclusive, and it was reflected in the events we put on— some of them were not publicized at all, and the ones that were advertised were attended by the committee and close friends. When I became president, I really wanted to change this because I knew what it felt like to be on the outside. Artsoc is one of the only societies that offers an artistic outlet in St Andrews, and it would be unfair if anyone felt like we were unapproachable. So yes, I feel like the culture in the committee has changed. While we are all friends, we all prioritize our commitment to the inclusivity of the society, which means that we have to be efficient.

B: What has changed in the committee is definitely the commitment. In the past we really struggled to have a devoted committee, people would skip meetings and apart from few collaborations, figure drawing and creative retreat, we struggled to convince others to come up with new events. In the past year we have had very wonderful devoted people, who really have passion for art. The meetings became a highlight of my week, and most of the committee are some of my best friends. It really does feel great that althought I am leaving, I am leaving my not-so-important legacy in such good hands. I am proud of them all. And what has stayed the same over the years? Well, I always felt welcome in ArtSoc and I hope everyone felt and feels the same. Always. 

What is your favourite artsoc memory of all time?

creative retreat 2020 | boreland, lochtay (image: Caroline Ip)

S: What is my favourite Art Soc memory of all time? That is going to be a hard one, I think. It has to still be my first Creative Lock-in. I remember staying up all night, everything becoming delirious as we made new friends and came up with wacky art and funky collaborations. There was poetry in dark corners and rough music played on the packed stage of the Barron. Now, this isn’t to say I haven’t loved the creative retreats and wonderful exhibitions through the years. I think with the early death of the Creative Lock-in due to Barron restrictions and with it acting as the beginning of my time with Art Society I always have warm feelings towards those memories. I think, if possible, it would be lovely to one day have an all-night lock-in again. There’s something special about when you choose to join in and when you choose to leave, whether you make it to morning or not. 

E: There are so many! I would say the creative retreat in my fourth year. It was the first time we went to Borland Loch Tay, which is such a beautiful location. Organizing the retreat is always very stressful, especially in the few days before we leave. So when, as it turned out, Caroline Ip taught everyone to make friendship bracelets from embroidery string, it was so rewarding to know that the stress of planning was worth it.

B: Hard to pin-point, I have been there for a while. I think Creative Retreat 2020 was special. That was when we found out the Uni is shutting, many of us felt upset, scared, worried. Yet, we all just stayed true to the art, we made art, we drew figures, took walks, screamed into the dark, cried a bit, laughed a lot, drank some beer. I think these are my happiest memories before what was coming after. I am glad that my proper university life ended with the Creative Retreat. 

What will you miss the most about your time at University? Is there something you won't miss?

S: Honestly? I’ve always struggled with the culture of the academics at St Andrews. I think there are a lot of people who are left by the wayside, so I am not going to miss classes and grades and exams and deadlines. I am going to miss the people though. I think I wouldn’t have lasted half as long as I did at the University if I didn’t meet people from Art Soc and Albany Park and Inklight. And in all honesty, I don’t think I will miss these people who have kept me going all the way through because I intend to keep up with as many as I can. I’m especially grateful we now have all these different ways to stay in touch. And coming from the States, Scotland is particularly small in comparison. 

E: Honestly, Taste. Not sure what I’m going to do without it and also it’s actually pretty Artsoc-related as the committee do ticket sales there, and a few of us stop by for coffee on a regular basis. I probably won’t miss the union (oops). The floor is always sticky, it’s a poor excuse for nightlife, and I particularly don’t enjoy how it’s basically a cesspool for guys on the prowl.

art by bee

 B: Is it cheesy if I say I will miss ArtSoc? It probably is, but I will miss it! I also will miss the short distances to everywhere, we take it for granted, public transport isn't great. Something I won't miss is, lol, my degree. It was a hard one. I'm glad I did it, but wouldn't do it again. Once in a life time, innit. 

How have you been spending your time in lockdown/quarantine?

S: I’ve been watching a lot of Youtube in lockdown, to be completely honest. That and applying for jobs and Masters programs has taken up a lot of time. But I’ve also been helping organize weekly poetry workshops every Friday which has been a lot of fun. It also means I’m producing a whole load of poetry. And I’ve been working on a little video project for a friend. We were supposed to run some monologues in the local bars before lockdown, so I’ve tried turning it into a video project. It’s coming along slowly, but it’s really nice to work on it without pressure. 

E: I’ve mainly been working on my dissertation and final essays in lockdown, unfortunately. It’s difficult to balance your life when it feels like you have so much more time on your hands than normal. 

Otherwise, I’ve taken up baking (no banana bread though), yoga and running. But work has been the priority.

B: Dissertation, single tear. But when I finished my exams, and celebrated with a bit too much prosecco, I actually started drawing and painting a lot. I invested a lot of money into quality oil paints and mediums. At the moment I am doing a 31 day challenge of painting every day. It's difficult to find the time, but it really is fun. And yeah, I also have played about 300 hours of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. No regrets. Absolute non. 

(art by emma rhodes)

What would you like to see the artsoc committee do more of or keep up in the future? 

S: I would love to see the Creative Lock-in return as an all-night event. I think the sort of collaborations and comradery that comes out of it is a unique experience and I hope students in the future will be able to enjoy it as well! 

E: (Oooo this is a good question!) It’s difficult because I want to say that Artsoc should keep all traditions like the creative retreat, life drawing etc. But more important is that Artsoc progresses as the committee changes. The main aspect that I want the society to maintain in the future is its approachability— so long as the St Andrews community enjoys the events Artsoc puts on, that is what matters

B: I really hope they keep up with the workshops. I also hope that the university recognizes the potential and that ArtSoc will get an art studio for people to drop in and paint whenever they'd like.There is nothing like that in St Andrews and that is such a shame. 

What do you plan to do after this? (lets just for a minute, pretend like we're not living through a worlwide pandemic) 

S: In an ideal world I will be working somewhere between art and technology in the future. I’m currently looking at a Masters in curatorial practice, and I think that would be a good indicator of what I want to do. There are some art collectives in New York or Dundee that I would love to join and help with publishing zines and giving artists platforms. I did a bit of work with NEW INC back in 2016 and it was really cool to see people working on the bleeding edge of technology and art.

E: I will still be working on my dissertation in the near-future, and afterwards I’m really not sure, which is scary. Before the pandemic, I had planned to move to London and work in a creative industry, so hopefully I will still be able to do that.

B: I am finding a way getting into an Art Conservation career. As a chemist I may prove at least a little bit useful. I have been offered to apply for a PhD in Chemistry Conservation and Restoration at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague. If all goes well, I think I will apply! Wish me luck.

Where can we find you, see all the arty things you're upto, now that you're graduating?

S: If you’re looking to see what I’m up to in the meantime, check out my personal website or the collaborative Rat King Zine. I’ve definitely got some projects in the pipeline! 

E: This is a shameless plug— I’ve recently started an Instagram @saintmarysbakery.It’s not super arty, but I guess baking is kind of an art (?) Anyways, I’ll try and post recipes, and I’ll be delivering some small-batch bakes.

B: Yay! I have an art Instagram where I post daily (well, for now). You can also find me on twitter under the same name. @gingerhuneybee. I am also planning to release an art portfolio website, but it proved to be more work than I anticipated!

(from top L, clockwise : Rat King Zine by Seb, Emma’s baking page on Instagram, Bee’s Instagram page, Seb’s website)

Any other thing you'd want to say or share?

 S: I’ve been so so so grateful for Art Society and the community and opportunities they’ve provided. I cannot stress enough how much Art Soc kept me sane when I might have otherwise gone off the rails. Keep up the good work and keep creating!

 E: This is about to get really sappy— Artsoc has been a major part of my time in St Andrews, and I’m so proud that I had the opportunity to run the society during my time as an undergraduate. It is an amazing society, and being a (small) part of its history has been so special, I will always remember/love what we were able to achieve as a society.

 B: Keep on drawing. Fill at least one sketchbook a year. Be kind to yourself and to everyone. And remember that bad times are just times that are bad.

I also would love to mention @Qinniart (Qing Hart) who was an artist I followed since I was about 12 years old. She was suffering with chronic heart problems and in 2019 she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She passed away on the 8th of February 2020. Her passing away struck me by a surprise because I was naive enough thinking she'd get better. When she was diagnosed, she wrote of her suffering and experiences of chemotherapy. She was a great inspiration to me and it took time until I could make art again after her passing. So much of an inspiration she was to me. If you can, donate to a cancer charity to support the research towards a cancer treatment research. As a master of medicinal chemistry, I promise, even a pound makes the difference.

(photographs by sebastian taylor)

Sebastian, Emma, and Bee will be missed by all of us in committee. We’d like to congratulate them for graduating and wish them all the love and luck for their future and the great things they’re going to go on to do. We hope that we see them again, whether thats in st andrews or in any other part of the world, and hope that they continue to stay associated with the artsoc!