With over 200 artists displaying their wares and multitudes of art lovers on campus, the Starving Artists' Show is a hallmark event for Mount Mary. This year, members of the faculty also led hands-on activities, providing a glimpse into campus creativity.

Set amid the variety of artwork on display - jewelry, painting, glass, pottery, mixed media and fiber - members of the faculty gathered in the Mount Mary tent and demonstrated some creative practices of their own. For example, Natural and Health Sciences Dean Cheryl Bailey led an activity in which participants created a necklace with their own DNA, a project that blended together science and art.

"We are connecting the creativity of the artwork all around us today with the creativity in our academic disciplines," said Karen Friedlen, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. "This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase what goes on in these buildings every day," she said. "Being able to meet and connect with faculty and deans is how academic programs become real to people."

Through Mount Mary's Creative Campus Initiative, creativity is fundamental to the student experience.

It is defined and understood to be a series of dispositions and attributes that can be taught, and with outcomes that can be measured.

The show itself is known for its high-quality artwork that is available for purchase. After reading about how some patrons line up hours before the show, Agnes Lehn of Minneapolis, Minn., set about being first in line, arriving before 6 a.m.

Benedetta Carini, came to the show armed with paint samples and fabric swatches for her upcoming condo remodel. "Coming to the show is great inspiration for my project," she said. Carini graduated from Mount Mary in 1988.

The show is held the second Sunday in September and is sponsored by Mount Mary's Alumnae Association. A portion of the admission and raffle proceeds funds the Alumnae Endowed Scholarship for Mount Mary students. For more information about the Starving Artists' Show, visit www.mtmary.edu/sas.