On Wednesday, October 2nd, WALT 1610 hosted their first WALT DAYZ student art sale of the year. At this event, student artists had the opportunity to sell their pieces to the Davidson College community. There were twenty artists showcased at the event, displaying a vast array of works ranging from collages to embroidery to crochet pieces to prints. 

WALT DAYZ supports the radio, student artists, and sometimes other organizations. Abby Landes ‘27 serves as WALT’s fundraising chair. Her job includes “raising money for our student fundraising account so we can pay student artists, or musicians, because we can’t give them the money the school gives us.” These events support this fund. Annabel Semans ‘26, co-president of WALT, explained that “the split [of the profits] is 60% to the artist and 40% to WALT.” For example, a majority of the proceeds from last week’s event went to disaster relief for those affected by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. Of the twenty artists, four gave 100% of their profits to relief efforts. “Sellers who went with our typical profit split made $875 and an additional $1,259 was raised for donation,” Semans announced. 

Artist Emma Busch ‘27 sold premade pendants and took commissions for her work. She enjoys the process of making her art. “I can multitask […] I cut out my letters […] while watching the [vice presidential] debate, and then I’ll use the sewing machine in DACE [Davidson Arts and Creative Engagement Studio],” she said. Rose Cecchi ‘27, another artist, incorporates creative time into her weekly routine. “I work at DACE, and so usually when I’m in DACE, I work on my collages,” Cecchi explained.

Busch also appreciates DACE as a resource on campus. “DACE is a great place for artists to make their pieces in general, and for events like WALT DAYZ,” she remarked.  When asked about the materials in the studio, Cecchi explains that “because I collage, I use the many magazines and cardboard that we have. We also have tube glue, scissors, there’s also a lot of paint, and a few sewing machines, so really any crafting material you might need is probably in there.”

Busch attended two other WALT DAYZ events last year, but the event this year was the first time she sold her own work. She became involved from knowing Landes, but explained that “anyone can get involved in selling at WALT DAYZ by talking to people involved with WALT.” It was also Cecchi’s first time selling at WALT DAYZ, and she successfully sold all her pieces. “It’s really exciting that people were interested in my creations. I feel very supported on campus. I appreciate that people like my art,” she remarked.

To Busch, raising money for hurricane relief was meaningful. “[It] made a lot of sense. One, because the event was supposed to happen right during the hurricane [and had to be rescheduled]. And then two, I think everyone here is looking for an outlet to give to Western North Carolina, so this is perfect.” Cecchi responded similarly, emphasizing that “I think it’s super important that a lot of our proceeds went to hurricane relief, especially because so many people in Davidson are connected to places that have been affected in North Carolina.” 

Regan Harvey ‘27 purchased various items at WALT DAYZ, including “a poster, a collage [by Cecchi], and some small trinkets.” Harvey was especially happy that a portion of the sales went to hurricane relief in Western North Carolina. “I think it’s very good of the artists to direct their funds to that cause, and I think it’s really important for us to support those communities, especially since Davidson is so lucky to not be impacted as heavily as other places,” she commented.

This year, Semans aspires to make WALT DAYZ a more consistent occurrence on campus. “We are aiming for monthly [WALT DAYZ events] […] the next WALT DAYZ is on November 15th, and it will be celebrating the end of a big radio-a-thon that we’re planning, and it’s going to be a fundraiser for the Davidson Community Fund,” she explained.

If you attended WALT DAYZ or another WALT event and want to become involved, reach out to members like Landes and Semans! And come on out to the next WALT DAYZ event to show your peers and college radio some support!

Julia Richards ‘27 is an intended Educational Studies and Hispanic Studies double major from Charleston, SC.