Laughter, smiles, and the unmistakable sound of bouncing basketballs and sneakers filled the Anderson Center as the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery teamed up with the university’s basketball teams to host a free basketball clinic and giveaway for local youth.
The event marked the first in a series of clinics designed to put 650 basketballs into the hands of local children throughout the year. Dr. Lalaine Bangilan Little, the gallery’s Art Director, was inspired to create a collaboration that went beyond just handing out basketballs.
“I wanted to give the basketball team an opportunity to meet kids from our community and introduce them to our great students and the programs we offer,” Little said.
Instead of simply handing out basketballs, Dr. Little aimed to create an engaging event where kids could connect not just with the basketball team, but also with the university, the art gallery, and the artist behind the project. Her goal was to ensure every giveaway felt intentional and meaningful, allowing children to leave with more than just a basketball they would leave with a memorable experience tied to art, community, and giving.
“I want art to do something. I want people to engage with art and realize that it does something—it makes life better. I want them to associate the art gallery with a fun childhood experience,” Little said.
The afternoon buzzed with excitement as kids and parents packed the basketball courts, their energy matched only by the enthusiasm of the basketball teams and volunteers. Little was thrilled with the turnout and how engaged everyone was throughout the event.
“The most memorable moment was when I told the kids to pick out their basketballs, and there was just this thunderous sound and instant, deafening dribbling,” Little said.
Looking ahead, Little hopes to create lasting memories and encourage more collaborations across campus and the community. Future events will include an application process to keep things organized, and Little is hopeful other groups will get involved.