Student-Run Cafe

http://student-runcafeuub.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks to the effort of Belfast's Students Union and student Volunteers , Belfast School of Art are able to Run a lovely little, friendly, simple, down to earth, no strings attached Cafe for at least a week. 
RAG week is a start but fingers crossed It won't be the end . 

Today Marked the start of something which has been needed for a long time or so I've heard...

 I'm speaking as a Postgraduate, who came to the University only a year and half ago. I have very little knowledge of why a Students union , which I've heard once thrived, was left to sit and ponder in its own misery for so long ...Why a High street Cafe (which shall not be named) was chosen to take up residence in the new sparkly building while the Union space sat bare , unused and forgotten..

That sparkly new building has as much character as the dead mouse me and my house mates found floating in a rain filled recycling bin recently. All bloated and lifeless.

That is not to say the people in that sparkly building are bloated and lifeless,  not at all,!

The energy which surrounds the art college , which ultimately leads a new generation of Artists, is one which has to be built on. Dedicated staff nurture , work with, talk to and want to be a part of this future. To create a new generation of individuals who are far from that floating , bloated , lifeless mouse

BUT here's the thing. Somewhere along the line  the idea of a community outside of individual courses went missing from the Belfast campus, and with it went the Students Union, weather this happened to co-inside with the university becoming more like a business centre then an arts college... I have no idea, I can only speculate. 

Thankfully, from the start of this year I and many people I know have seen a change. A more feisty Students Union . One which will listen , one which will make the change and re claim what is rightfully ours , one which wants to make a difference and see it happen!

The difference starts here, with a Student friendly,  food serving, hot beverage bearing ,affordable , comfortable , exciting place to be. Not only with the people you spend most of your time talking to, but with new, interesting , inspiring individuals who make the most meaningful of suggestions and conversations.

Heavily supported by Belfast's VP Malachy McCrudden and his campus officers. 

With the help of Student Volunteers, A student-run cafe has finally made its way to the Students Union space.

I've never written a post with mainly words before, its all new and  I'm excited. I'm excited by the prospect of re claiming a space which is going to be knocked down in a years time. Giving it a new lease of life for a respectable amount of time.

I'm interested in how the Union space reflects some of my interest in memory , loss and renewal of old things.

 I have set up a studio space for myself in a corner by the windows and intend to make art, make a change with a good bunch of people . I'll be posting images of what's going on and what I am making while serving tea's and coffees in between.