The Sacramento State University Union understands the stress and struggle of being on campus all day for classes. To add relaxation and balance to a busy student’s day, 20o2 at the UU provides a space for crafts and creativity throughout the semester.

20o2 was created in 2025 with students in mind, and is run by the University Union. It is a part of special projects in the Union coordinated by Sac State graduate and Coordinator of Union Services and Special Projects Angie Vazquez. The special projects include the Games Room on the first floor of the Union and Relaxation Station on the second floor, each made to add some fun and calm to a student’s life.

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From April 13 through April 23, 20o2 hosted “Pot It, Paint It, Plant It!” where students painted tote bags and flower pots. Everything needed to paint, plant and decorate was provided with supplies like soil pellets and flower seeds to plant in their custom pots.

Andrea Plascencia, a Sac State health science graduate, is a staff member in the Union. She encourages students to check out 20o2, the Games Room and the Relaxation Station, which are all located in the Union and are free to students. 20o2 hosts projects all year; in the beginning of March, students made custom car air fresheners and made their own candles.

Students can drop in Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m on the second floor of the Union. Events are held all semester long with various projects and supplies available. Each craft is available for a 10-day period, so every student can find a time that works with their schedule.

“Right now, we have different crafts planned every two weeks,” Plascencia said, “A craft slot will start on Monday then end on the next Thursday, and we’re open to all current Sac State students.”

Third year art majors Charlotte Chase and Rachel Hawley said they love to do crafts in 20o2 together. They participated in the event, catching up with each other while painting tote bags. Chase found 20o2 at the Union in February on a whim. She walked by their sugar scrub making event ‘Scrub & Glow: Self-Care Edition’ in February, stopped by and since has been a returning artist.

“I saw they were making sugar scrubs and I wanted to make a sugar scrub, so I did. I came back the next week and they were doing a different craft,” Chase said, “It’s become my favorite place, I’m an advocate.”

She later introduced the 20o2 to her friend, Hawley.

“I did the candle making with Charlotte and that was my first one,” Hawley said, “This is kind of like our meeting spot now.”

Students can bring a classmate, a friend or make new connections through the event. With a busy campus like Sac State’s, the room is never empty as students can check in through the Union WELL Connect app, or with their One Card upon arrival.

Sacramento State students Charlotte Chase and Rachel Hawley paint tote bags at “Pot It, Paint It, Plant It!” event Wednesday, April 22, 2026. 20o2 at the University Union hosts events throughout the semester as the Union’s creative space for students. (Photo by Kate Sanders)

Third year Clarabelle Nagy and second year Victoria Trinh are civil engineering majors. They worked on painting their pots and bags between classes. Nagy learned about the event through the Sac State campus events website.

“I check the website constantly when I’m looking for something to do. I’ve been to a few of the 20o2 events before. The last one I remember vividly was candle making, that was really fun,”” Nagy said.

Nagy recommends other students check out the crafts during finals week as a break. She’s looking forward to coming back for 20o2’s ‘Slime-A-Palooza,’ at the end of the month.

“It’s fun, and it’s a nice de-stresser because we’re having exams right now,” Nagy said.

Trinh shared the same sentiments of exam season being stressful and a creative break is often necessary. 20o2 makes it easier for students to achieve that break by providing all the tools, a positive and inclusive environment and being conveniently located on campus.

“Getting up here and getting seated, I feel free,” Trinh said.

As finals approach and the school year is coming to an end, 20o2 is still available to students as a creative space and ready for celebration. On the second floor of the Union, to the left of the main staircase, students can make their own slime at 20o2’s ‘Slime-a-palooza’ from April 27 to May 7, and finish the year off with ‘Grad Week: Cap It Off’ from May 11 to May 21 for graduation cap decorating.