Murray State University’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts hosts Monster Mash 2026
By Megan Kemp | Oct 16, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University’s College of Humanities and Fine Arts (CHFA) will host its annual Monster Mash on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Old Fine Arts Building. The event is free and open to the Murray State community and the public.
Monster Mash will include a variety of booths for nearly 20 CHFA student clubs, organizations and programs. Visitors to Monster Mash can look forward to fun Halloween-themed merchandise such as clothing, jewelry, tote bags, pins, stickers, ceramics and more. There will also be portrait drawings, a Day of the Dead altar sponsored by the Photo Club, as well as games, treats and music. All proceeds go to support student travel to conferences and workshops, as well as research opportunities.
Student groups tabling at Monster Mash include the Print Club, Alpha Psi Omega, Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association, Phi Alpha Theta History Club, Psychology Club, Organization of Murray Art Students, Murray State University Photo Club, National Art Education Association Student Chapter, Graphic Design Group, Mock Trial Team, Model United Nations, Sigma Alpha Iota, Political Science Club, Murray State University Clay Club, the English Student Organization and more.
Monster Mash 2026 continues a tradition spanning back to 2008, when professor of art Nicole Hand, now the dean of CHFA, held a rudimentary version with her Printmaking 1 class.
“They wanted to dress up for Halloween,” Hand said, “and I told them they could if they made a monster print. From there the idea grew, and we decided to take the prints outside and give them away while wearing our costumes.”
Monster Mash was not held again until 2016, when it became what it is known for today: a fun event where clubs can sell goods to support their activities. It was hosted solely by the Murray State University Printmaking Club from 2016 until 2024, when the invitation to participate was extended to any student organization in the Department of Art & Design. When she became CHFA dean in 2025, Hand extended the invitation even further, to include any CHFA student organization, helping the event to grow into what it is today.
For more information, contact Nicole Hand at nhandbryant@murraystate.edu or Carrie Jerrell, assistant to the CHFA dean, at cjerrell1@murraystate.edu, or follow the Murray State University Printmaking Club’s Instagram account: @msu_printmaking.