CreateSLU is an art club, founded in Feb. 2019 and currently stands as a DSO. A DSO, or Developing Student Organization, is a group that has expressed interest in becoming a Chartered Student Organization at SLU through SGA. (DSOs have the same rights and abilities as chartered organizations but don’t receive SGA funding. This organizational developing period can last anywhere from 6 to12 months, and CreateSLU hopes to become a CSO by next year.)

Alka Ghadiyaram, founder and president of CreateSLU, was a freshman when she began looking in SLU Groups for an art club to join. Unfortunately, there wasn’t one at the time, and as a biochemistry major, she was unable to take on a studio art minor. She didn’t want to abandon art completely and recognized that there were likely other students looking for a space to create while in college.

“I love biochemistry, but I still wanted to find a space to express myself in a low-stress environment and meet other people who also love art. I wanted the best of both worlds, and I knew that there were others who were probably feeling the same way,” says Alka, who used this passion to form CreateSLU with the help of her two closest friends.

CreateSLU aims to inspire an outlet for creativity and provide a learning experience in various art forms in a low-stress environment for all students, no matter their major or artistic skill level. Most meetings are geared towards beginners, but all are welcome to participate. The goal for members is to have a composition produced by the end of the school year.

Not only a place for art, CreateSLU also provides stress-relieving activities and service opportunities, such as a collaboration with the Art Enrichment program through Overground Railroad to Literacy and mural projects requested by independent organizations.

CreateSLU general body meetings happen every other Wednesday (biweekly) at 6 p.m., location varying. More information about meetings can be found on the organization’s website (https://sites.google.com/view/createslu/home) or by emailing [email protected].