The Langston University Artist Coalition is a fairly new organization that should be on everyone’s radar. It was founded by Deshawn Mosley II, a Sophomore Agriculture Business major, who was just a freshman at the time he decided to create this organization.
The Artist Coalition focuses on beautifying the school and cultivating a community of artists. “I really want to see a lot of people be able to express themselves creatively because, I feel like that is a way we’re able to not only detach from the stressors of life but also just be able to heal in a way,” Mosley II said. He goes on to say how art has been a big part in his own healing journey and he has noticed that through their events, art has helped others to relax and keep themselves grounded as well.
One of the events that helped release students from the stress of their responsibilities was their release ceremony. At this ceremony, they wrote things on plates and then smashed them to the ground. They even did a workshop where they crocheted, knitted, and painted as well. Mosley II explains, “Those types of events and just events into the realm of creativity and expressing yourself, and kind of just being an outlet.”
As the president and founder of the Artist Coalition, Mosley II finds it most difficult to find people who are willing to express themselves creatively. “ I feel like many people are creative in their own way but it’s just they don’t always or haven’t always had that outlet to express themselves. Especially in the black community, I feel like a lot of times, like creative endeavors and creative things are kind of shunned upon or like taboo in a way, like it’s not really the norm.” Mosley II shares how because of this, finding people who are willing to express themselves and participate without feeling shy has been the hardest part.
Mosley II said how he can relate to this feeling because in the beginning, he was even hesitant to start this organization in the first place, he felt himself shying away from expressing himself as well.
Although many students might see the Art Coalition as an organization full of skilled artists and might even be insecure about their own skill level, Mosley II assured that this organization is welcome to all. “ I try not to make it a point where like, attendees or like members to, like to only market it or present it to people who are pros at art, which I’m not a pro but I feel like, anybody is an artist. It’s just your own way of creatively expressing yourself. So I try to present the club to anyone who’s creative and wants to express their creativity.”
Mosley II explains how everyone in the Art Coalition is filled with a variety of different skill levels and styles. While his style is abstract, whimsy, and dreamlike, others are more fun or childlike in a way.
- Lianna Payton 2. Cevoria Jean 3. Steven Gant
If you are interested in expressing your own creative style through a variety of mediums of art this would be the perfect organization for you to meet like minded people and create anything your imagination comes up with. Join now by going to their instagram @artistcoalitionlu where you can dm them for access to the Group Me.
Mikayla Suggs
Mikayla Suggs is a sophomore broadcast journalism student. Mikayla wanted to write for the Gazette not only to get a hands on experience but because she just loves the art of writing. Mikayla enjoys writing feature stories the most. What the Gazette is doing here matters because everyone in Langston deserves to be heard and informed in their community. Outside of writing for the Gazette Mikayla likes to read, draw, listen to music, or just sleep. To contact Mikayla, you can reach her at Mikayla.suggs@langston.edu .
