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Creativity. It comes from within. It’s a “bug that bites.” It can be innate or learned. It’s an elixir that helps you relax and gives you satisfaction. Some people know from childhood that they’re creative, while others are surprised by creative inspiration as young adults. Even elders who never tried anything creative in their lives can produce stunning works of art.

Your college years are a wonderful time to explore your creative side, even if you’re going into business or medicine instead of graphic design or music. Just about any career requires creative thinking. And lifelong artistic pursuits outside of other professional careers can provide outlets for growth, community and stress relief.

At East Tennessee State University, you’ll find myriad ways to explore your creative side, from two-hour activities to semester-long classes and beyond:

Visual and Craft Arts

“Crafternoons at the Library” allow students, as well as faculty and staff, a chance to bring their own craft projects to the first floor of the Sherrod Library for an afternoon of creativity and community. Three more “Crafternoons” are coming up this spring on Fridays, April 4, 11 and 25, from noon to 2 p.m.

Also at the Sherrod Library is the new Innovation Commons, a digital media and maker hub. It includes a digital media studio, audio recording, virtual reality, 3D printing and scanning, vinyl cutting, sewing machines and more. Classes are scheduled throughout the academic year on a variety of topics, and students and faculty can request one-on-one consultation, group instruction and other assistance via the website.

Buctainment, ETSU’s student activities programming board, hosts a variety of events that let students’ creativity shine. The organization sponsors “Masterpiece Mixers” and other activities allowing participants to paint not only on canvas but also objects like flowerpots and rocks; “Open Mic” nights giving students a chance to share their own comedy and poetry; and more. Watch for Buctainment activities on the ETSU Calendar or follow the group on Instagram @etsubuctainment.

Performing and Fine Arts

Take an introductory course in an area of the arts that interests you, whether it’s drawing or painting, music, theater, storytelling or another area. You can explore lots of these through ETSU’s Mary B. Martin School of the Arts.

Music Exploration

Take a class to learn to play a musical instrument. The Community Music School in the Department of Music allows ETSU students and community members from beginner to advanced to study under an accomplished ETSU instructor in private lessons, ensembles and group classes.

Introductory courses in various instruments are also available in ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies program, where alumnus Kenny Chesney, who was just named as one of three upcoming 2025 inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame, got his start in a beginning guitar class.

Enjoy singing or playing an instrument, but aren’t majoring in music? You can still take part in many of the vocal and instrumental ensembles in our Department of Music. There’s our Marching Bucs, which performed for millions in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Orchestra and more. For vocalists, we have the ETSU Chorale, East Tennessee Belles, BucsWorth and several student-led a cappella ensembles. Some of these require audition, while others simply require consultation with an instructor or student ensemble leader. Check out all of the music ensembles on the Department of Music homepage.

Writing and Theater

Everyone takes composition courses as a first-year or dual-enrollment student, but try a creative writing class in poetry or fiction to go a bit further in using your imagination and stretching your skills.

“Coffee and Creative Writing” events are held regularly at the Sherrod Library. Participants can enjoy a cup of coffee while writing and sharing their responses to writing prompts. The next event is Thursday, April 10, at 5 p.m. in Room 309 of the Sherrod Library.

Other opportunities for students who like to write (or take pictures or create art) include the ETSU student-run newspaper, the East Tennessean, and The Mockingbird, the university’s annual student literary and artistic magazine.

Want to try acting without taking a full class? Check out the Patchwork Players, a student organization open to all students regardless of major or minor. Its productions range from full-length plays on campus to touring shows and more.

Quick tip: Creativity can spark in unexpected places – from a dorm-room knitting circle to an impromptu jam session. Say yes to trying something new. You might just find a lifelong passion (and a few new friends).