March 1 marks the beginning of Contemporary Art Month (CAM) 2014. This month-long event gives local artists opportunities to showcase their talents while enriching the community.

Goals associated with CAM include expanding San Antonio’s horizons for art appreciation, supporting local artists and ensuring the welfare of public education. Various artists portraying an assortment of talents will be featured in several different venues. With all this variety, everyone is sure to find something that sparks their interest.

Contemporary Art Month began in 1986 as a non-profit organization supported by local institutions, artists and art buyers. The event debuted in what is now known as the Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum. Now, every year Blue Star hosts the annual CAM Kick-Off party.

Featured artists for the Kick-Off party will include Rosane Volchan O’Conor, Claire Watson, Paul Rodriguez and Mira Hnatyshyn-Hudson.

Sophomore art major Veronica Caceres will be volunteering at the event and shared some behind-the-scenes insight.

“I don’t think people realize how time consuming the arts are,” Caceres said. “It requires so much creativity, time, craftsmanship and problem solving.”

Volunteer work will include things like setting up the venue and helping out with installation work. Since this is the event that rings in Contemporary Art Month, providing their helping hands is a perfect way for students to get involved.

Caceres was given the opportunity to work at the Kick-Off party through one of her professors, Megan Harrison. “She really pushes her students to take advantage of being involved within the art community,” Caceres remarked.

For Caceres, this opportunity is more than a one-time experience. She hopes this will provide a better understanding of how these events flow and a means of creating connections. This being her first CAM event, she is really looking forward to mingling with the artists and learning from what they present. The art student is “hoping that this experience will open (her) mind up to new ideas.”

“I felt it would be a great experience and open new doors in the art industry,” Caceres said. “As an artist, that’s the way you put yourself out there and get to where you want to be. Connections are important and helpful.”

One of the perks that this month dedicated to celebrating art has to offer is seeing so many different pieces side by side. It is more than a month-long exhibit featuring the best of one artist. CAM strives to feature all sides of what local artists bring to the table, which strengthens art culture in San Antonio.

“It constantly amazes me how everyone comes up with something so different and aesthetically pleasing to the eye,” Caceres observed. “A lot of these artists usually have to build something out of nothing.”

Caceres hopes to walk away from this experience with more insight. She wants this to be an opportunity for her to challenge herself. “I hope it will teach me to take on life, and just go make connections with people I don’t know,” Caceres said. “You never know who you’ll meet and in the end they may be very helpful.”

This year, CAM Kick-Off will be held on March 6 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The evening will start with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate new exhibitions that Blue Star will be housing. The party will continue with live music, drinks and food from some of the best local food trucks. The night will end with the crowning of Miss CAM San Antonio.

Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum is located on 116 Blue Star, 78204.For more information about all the exhibits CAM has to offer, visit contemporaryartmonth.com.