The Bob Ross legacy lives on through UCA Honors students in the annual Bob Ross and Waffles event hosted by the Schedler Honors College Student Council.
Students were invited to follow Bob Ross’s “Island in the Wilderness” from season 29, episode one of “The Joy of Painting” while enjoying chicken and waffles, made courtesy of the Schedler Honors Council.
“Island in the Wilderness” depicts a lakefront view of a forested mountain range, and is very similar to other works by the late Bob Ross, who even after death continues to inspire others.
“I feel inspired to be perfectly imperfect. What brings me joy is that all famous art is done by the human hand, which means that it is imperfect. So, if Van Gogh’s art was imperfect and people loved it, then there can’t be too much wrong with mine either,” sophomore Annalaen Walls said.
Bob Ross and Waffles began three years ago and had its biggest turnout yet this year.
While Bob Ross may not be known for eating chicken and waffles, students felt like it fit the vibe perfectly.
“What is more Bob Ross than eating chicken and waffles?” Rich Ware, a sophomore and Schedler Honors Council president, said.
Sophomore Kyle Urban, the vice president of the Schedler Council, elaborated on why he thought the two meshed so well.
“The appeal is entirely in the tradition of the event and the fact that both foods are high in sugars and salts … I didn’t personally make any waffles. I did clean, but I was very awe-inspired by the high pile of waffles,” Urban said.
While not all students followed the video, the event was still enjoyable.
Painting can be super relaxing and offers students an outlet for stress and creativity, especially in group settings.
“Painting is much more enjoyable when I don’t feel pressured to make it perfect, and being around these lovely people took away that pressure,” Walls said.
Midterms are currently in swing, with many people, especially freshmen, feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
The stress that comes with those midterms is also a large factor in the scheduling of this event.
Urban said, “It taps into the artsy side of people, it is a comfort event right after a stressful week where most tests are. It’s comfort food and a comfort activity.”
Freshmen in the UCA Honors Programs appreciated the representation that comes from the Schedler Honors Council and the Scholars Council.
“There were a lot of freshmen working to put this together and I felt represented by that,” freshman Emily Phifer said.
Both the Schedler Honors College and University Scholars Program Councils put on events throughout the year for students, with the USP Council hosting a Pumpkin Painting Party which will be in the Farris Courtyard, weather permitting, on Oct. 15. The event is open to any student in honors.
