“Anyone can approach art however they want,” said third-year Sammie Spector, vice president of events for Festival of the Arts (FOTA). “That means making it or trying their hand at making it, even if they’ve never done it before.”

This year’s 54th annual FOTA launch party embodied its mission of making art “very casual and inclusive.” On Friday night, student bands filled Hutch Courtyard with music as partygoers experimented with speed-painting, dressed up at a costume photo booth, and participated in an interactive poetry station, where students were welcome to take a poem and then leave their own for others to enjoy. The event also featured a fashion show showcasing the work of student designers.

The launch party marked the start of FOTA’s annual week-long SpringFest. Highlights include a cabaret night at Logan (complete with student music and dance performances) as well as a discussion with student artists at Logan Café. The week concludes this Friday at the Promontory, where a celebration of student-made music will give students the opportunity to enjoy art off campus as well.

FOTA’s goal is to expose students to all forms of art regardless of their prior experience with the art world. “We try to get everybody involved in making art or just appreciate something new. [For example,] whether they like painting or ballet, they also get to see fashion,” Spector said.

FOTA also seeks to help student artists fulfill their goals. This year, more than 60 students are displaying artwork around campus, from the Harper stairwells to the Reg. Much of their work commemorates the closing of the satellite dorms.

“We give student artists the funding they need, the marketing they need, and the support they need, whether they’re a visual arts major or just hobbying,” Spector said. “And then they can put their art all over campus wherever it is meaningful. The idea is for campus to get an idea of how much art there is out there, especially by the student body.”