Students Relax to a Diverse Range of Music Genres at Art Jam Sessions
By Teagan Davidge
Students lined up for last week’s Art Jam 20 minutes before the event began, eagerly waiting to dive into their taco Thursday plate and participate in air-dry clay crafts. Prestigio Mundial performed lively norteño music while attendees sat together at nearby art tables, creating colorful clay animals like cows, frogs and penguins.
“I really like the music, I really like the ambiance, the food looks really good and I’m enjoying the vibes that we have here,” said Vida Vargas, student attendee. “You never hear music like this at a university and I like it!”
Art Jam is a University Student Union event series that provides a space for creative expression and community engagement. The event encourages participants to explore various art forms while enjoying diverse music and delicious food pairings. It fosters connection, reflection and cultural appreciation in a relaxed, collaborative environment.
“I really like this clay art because it’s something I can put my hands on, and I really like doing hands-on projects,” said Jeshuah Nicolas, a civil engineering student. “I would come to the event again because they’re giving out tacos!”
While the latest installation of Art Jam featured asada, pollo and nopal tacos with sides of rice and beans, previous sessions offered foods like acai bowls with fruit and even catering from local restaurants.
Each session reflects the changing seasons, helping participants connect with themselves, each other and their campus community through art. USU Programs Supervisor Luis Hernandez explained the inspiration behind the event.
“Art Jam to me means inclusion, festivity and enjoyment. A moment to relax for all our CSUN students and faculty, as well as guests that come with them,” said Hernandez. “We just want to present as much culture and as much inclusion to all different genres of music, craft items as well as different foods that we bring into campus.”
Art Jam frequenters also have the chance to collect session-specific buttons with flower designs. At the final installation of the semester, students can enter their buttons into a giveaway for a chance to win special prizes.
When asked to choose a favorite Art Jam installation from those held during the spring 2025 semester, Hernandez found it impossible to pick just one.
“That’s a big, long list there. It’s hard to choose, it’s really hard to choose,” Hernandez said. “I like them all, they’re all the best and they all bring their own unique music and genre.”
Don’t miss out on the last session of Art Jam on April 30, 2025, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the USU Plaza del Sol!