Mattin Market brings SGA and students closer

The SGA and the Office of Student Activities held its first Mattin Center Market of the year last Thursday, April 7. The theme of the event was Arts Day: students decorated their own picture frames and talked to SGA members at the event, which took place in the Mattin Courtyard.

“It’s a great way to meet the SGA and express your concerns and ideas,” SGA Vice President junior Elizabeth Duval said.

Duval planned last year’s Market event.

This year, the event was run by Janet Kirsch, who is in her first year as an intern with the Office of Student Activities as the Special Events Assistant in the Department of Student Life.

“I planned everything and came up with the ideas,” Kirsch said. Since it was Kirsch’s first year, Duval helped out as well.

The market took place as many students were walking to class. Some stopped by on their way to look at the different booths, do some artwork, or grab a piece of cotton candy.

“Students just pass by the markets and see what they’re interested in seeing,” Duval said.

Though many students just passed through the market, Duval was pleased with the turnout. “There were more students than ever today,” she said.

The SGA held the event so that students had the chance to talk to them. Sophomore senator Moses Song made sure that there were plenty of members at the market.

“People just come by and ask what we’ve been doing,” he said.

There were also many student groups who advertised their events at the markets. Sophomore Danielle Lohan handed out flyers for The Barnstormers’ production of Evita. “A lot of people came by, so it’s really easy to [give out fliers],” she said.

She went to the market her freshman year and felt that it definitely improved this year. “I like that [the theme] is arts now,” she said.

Junior Joanna Craig was also giving out flyers for the JHU Modern Dance company’s 30th Anniversary concert, which took place on Saturday. She chose to advertise at the market because she knew that there would be lots of students walking by.

“It’s really accessible, “ she said. “There’s a lot to walk through.”

However, she enjoyed last year’s market more. “There were more things last year, more activities and people selling stuff,” she said.

The first two markets were canceled due to weather. There will be two more markets coinciding with the Admitted Students Open House events.

Today will be “Game Day,” where there will be a pitching booth and games such as Twister for students to play.

April 28 will be “Luau Day,” where there will be activities such as sand art for students to partake in.

SGA members will be at both markets to talk to students.

Duval predicts that there will be a large turnout in the next two markets, especially because this market went so well.

“It’s exciting. It’s sunny and beautiful outside, [a great day] to see the market,” she said.