By Wesley Northcote
Staff Writer

Moss Smith enjoying a Sunrise Mocktail. Photo by Henry Gonzales

For students juggling class, work, and stress this winter term, an on-campus event gave students a much needed break. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Multicultural Center hosted a paint and sip event that drew in 15 students. The event offered a relaxing space for students to paint, socialize and unwind during a busy start to the winter term.

The featured drink was the Sunrise Mocktail, made with a 3/4 cup of orange juice on ice, topped with sparkling water and grenadine. Alongside the mocktails, snacks were also available: a charcuterie board with crackers and assorted cheeses, chips and popcorn.

Miranda James, coordinator of the Multicultural Center at Clackamas Community College said, “It’s stress-free and it’s community building. We know that being creative is good for the brain, and it felt fun.” 

Students and staff sat at tables with paintbrushes and small canvases. All of them were painting the same thing: a mountain with a sunset in the background. An encapsulation of the relaxing, inclusive, welcoming and lighthearted environment of the event.

A student mid-brush stroke painting a mountain with a sunset in the background. Photo by Henry Gonzales

Cadence Gillespie and Heather Deegan, the two employees who initially had the idea, wanted to give students a positive outlet. 

“It’s a stressful time [at this point in] this term, so we wanted a fun event that was something like people could come and paint if they wanted,” said Gillespie.

Each student who attended heard about the event in different ways. Moss Smith, a student at CCC, said, “I saw the poster on the wall. I’m always looking for events at CCC, so I came by to do some painting.”

In addition to this, Smith said, “I wanted to do something fun today and see people I like hanging out with. I really like painting too, so I wanted to sit down, chill out and paint.” 

Smith’s sunset was a blaze of orange and red, illuminating a jagged green mountain range.

The event is similar to others where people show up to drink wine and paint. People in Portland pay up to $40 for these events, but the one at CCC was free. 

The Sunrise Mocktail featured at the event. Photo by Chloe Brown

Kiriyana Chernishov, another student at CCC, said, “I heard [James] talk about it last week and say, ‘Yeah, we’re doing a paint and sip!’ And I was like, ‘This is so cool. I would love to do something like that. I’ve always loved painting, so why not?’” 

“I’m totally enjoying it, just chilling out and we’re all laughing. It’s nice to have a break between classes or work.” Chernishov said.

When asked about the atmosphere, Heather Deegan, who is a part of the Associated Student Government at CCC, had this to say, “It’s been amazing, yeah, everyone’s so kind and just really lovely.” 

Chernishov was excited that the sip and paint was offered and said, “I like how you don’t even need to take an art class to do art, because it can just be offered for anyone who wants to come during lunch time.” 

Among the chatter, laughter and snacking alike, the brushes and hands were at work throughout the afternoon. The students and staff who participated in the event appeared to do their due diligence in providing a fun, safe space for creative individuals wanting to express themselves amongst others with similar interests.