The inaugural Collaborative Arts Network Fall Festival will showcase the art and music of students and locals on Friday, Nov. 15 at the University of Mississippi.
“I’m hoping that (attendees) get to experience part of what the local art and music scene has to offer and maybe find some fun art to purchase,” Collaborative Arts Network (CAN) President Ross Cohen said. Cohen is a senior accounting and public policy leadership double major from Oxford. Cohen also served as the head event coordinator for the new student organization’s festival.
The art sale will take place on the Union Plaza from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and will feature the Rebelclefs acapella group. The official concert of the CAN Fall Festival, which is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the Grove Stage, is free to attend. Attendees are advised to bring towels or blankets to sit on.
Allison Blansett, a senior art major from Houston, Miss., said this event will serve as an important opportunity to share her work.
“The arts are a great way to share a part of yourself with others,” Blansett said. “Huge thank you to CAN for organizing this event.”
Though she has been creating art since she was a child, Blansett never has had the opportunity to sell any of her pieces.
“I have never sold prints of my digital illustrations before,” Blansett said. “I usually keep my artwork to myself because it can be personal, but the beauty of art is that anyone can find their own meaning and appeal in something I create.”
Blansett also provided more detail on the CAN’s mission.
“The Collaborative Arts Network is a student-led organization that wants to showcase the talent of UM students,” Blansett said. “This includes artwork, music and even literature.”
Tennessee songwriter Izzy Arthurs is a student musician who will perform at the concert.
“I’m so excited to bring my full band down from Tennessee to the Grove stage,” Arthurs said. “We will close out the show.”
Arthurs’ band is composed of professional musicians from Tennessee. Arthurs is working on her debut album.
“We are so grateful to be a part of (the festival),” Arthurs said. “Ross, his team and all the artists and musicians have been working hard to make it a reality.”
Cohen plans to continue providing opportunities for artists and musicians to share their talents.
“Our goal is to do more events like this in the future and give both artists and other students valuable learning experiences,” Cohen said.
