By Chenoa Colaco
LSESU’s Creative Network hosted its first exhibition on 6 October after its revival for the 2023/24 academic year.
The exhibition hosted more than 15 student artists in the Weston Café, with various different forms of media, including photography, painting and textiles on display.
The Creative Network strives to establish spaces within the LSE community where art can be celebrated. They plan to host events ranging from live music to pottery workshops, aimed at reviving a sense of spirit within the LSE student body.
Among many of the artists presented was Emma*, a second year History student who described the atmosphere as “inspiring.” Emma presented a drawing that represents her queer identity.
“It was really nice to be able to present my work at university, and see all the artwork that my peers have worked so hard on. It was also nice to be able to share my personal work with the creative community,” Emma said.
The Creative Network was originally formed in 2021, but the new committee is seen as a branch within the Students’ Union alongside the Athletics Union and RAG (Raising and Giving). This year’s delegation hopes that this change will help to make it a permanent fixture of the LSE community.
This year’s co-chair of the Creative Network, Lois Thomas, describes the community as a “space for painters, poets, film-makers and photographers to feel at home on campus and be confident in their passions, even if these passions won’t induce a career in finance.”
“The interests of the people that surrounded us at LSE were not comprehensively reflected in the culture which the university fosters,” Thomas states.
The network hopes to act as a community for all 23 creative societies at the LSESU. They stress their values of communication, collaboration, and community. According to Thomas, these societies previously did not have the support, resources, or attention to thrive, thereby requiring a representative body.
Thomas believes that “the future of the arts at LSE is exciting and full of promise.”
An LSE spokesperson stated that: “Although as a social science institution we do not teach arts or music at LSE, we have a vibrant cultural side and fully support and encourage students to pursue an interest in creative activities.
“Some of the activities available around campus include arts exhibitions hosted in the Atrium Gallery, lunchtime concerts, the LSE choir and orchestra, photo competitions and LSE Chill, a free performance night hosted by LSE Arts for poets, comedians, musicians and other performers (which we plan to restart later this term).
“We welcome initiatives from students to help facilitate creative activities on campus and employ an LSE Arts Assistant who is keen to engage with the LSESU on arts related activities.”
*- Names in this article have been changed to preserve anonymity
