You grow girl! SLU students gather for paint a pot

A lazy Sunday was made fun by two resident advisors throwing a "paint a pot" Earth Day celebration on the Grand Hall lawn. Painting supplies, pots and flowers were all provided.

Students met Sunday evening to take a break from their studies by painting pots, planting flowers and spending time with their best "buds."

The event was planned by Mattie Zautner, a junior, and Megan Cave, a sophomore. Both are resident advisors for Saint Louis University's Grand Hall, a residence hall housing primarily freshmen and sophomore students.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many students have felt cooped up and alienated due to virtual classes. The need for connection and socializing has been a concern for many. That's when the inspiration to do a paint a pot event struck for Mattie and Megan.

"Megan and I both really like plants; we both have way too many in our rooms" Mattie said. "So, we wanted to have a fun event where people could just come and release some stress and be creative and paint their own pots and get some cute plants."

The plants were bought from Lowes and the pots from Home Depot, which according to Mattie "was an experience." "We were like, who let us come to a garden center unattended. We didn't know what plants we wanted to get."

By providing individual pots, painting supplies and plants, a socially distanced community event could be put together. This would not only get students to take a break outside but would also allow them to socialize with other students and Grand Hall staff members.

Both thought the event went well, saying "there were a lot more people than we thought there would be. Everyone's pots were so cute!"

The event began at 3 p.m. and lasted over an hour. More than 25 students participated over the course of the event. "This event was the only reason I became an RA" Mattie said jokingly.