Semester 4

Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure

UMD Gamer Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday, February 11th, 2026

Dekelboum Hall at the Clarice, College Park, MD

#music #orchestra #videogames

Prompt #1: In what ways did this event challenge and/or affirm your definitions of what counts as art?

After having a valuable experience at this orchestra's concert last year, I wanted to see another performance from a new perspective. This show connected to the idea of "what counts as art" that we have discussed in Scholars. Specifically, my experience reminded me just how important the emotional response of the audience is to considering something good art. As soon as the first song began, I found myself instinctively and emotionally moved more than I was expecting. The sounds, rhythm, and storytelling of the compositions gave me an innate response of excitement and even chills at certain moments. It was surprising to me how I did not have to logically think about the art or its quality to be impacted by it. Throughout the Scholars program, we have spent a lot of time discussing how art can communicate complex ideas in a way that spreads empathy and social ideas. However, in this case, the art grew beyond that; I did not need to analyze the art to have an emotional experience (it came naturally). This points to the human reasons why our lives often center around art. The definition of art is more intuitive and flexible than just an artist's intentions or logic. Art can be anything that creates this human, emotional experience. The emotional energy of a viewer or listener can then be used for social change, as our Capstones this semester attempt to do. Pathos can overpower logos, pushing people to feel empathy or take action from the impact of their response alone, instead of, logical analysis. I spent the entire performance appreciating the feeling the music gave me, feeling more connected to myself, others, and humanity. Our innate love for art can bring us all together and change our lives.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

UMD STAMP Gallery: Then, Now, and Tomorrow Exhibition

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

STAMP Student Union, College Park, MD

#visualart #fineart #exhibition

Prompt #4: How did this event illustrate the ways art can function as a mechanism for building community?

The themes of this CAPP collection presentation related to current social issues in America, specifically, the mistreatment of hispanic immigrants. The artworks tackled these by showing the perspective of hispanic cultures and families, connecting the audience to their community, and bridging the gap between seemingly contrasting communities. The first piece that contributed to this was Chamarra Diptych by Paloma Vianey. The artist pushed the boundaries of the 2-D painting (mirrors how I push the limits of crochet in my Capstone workshop) by adding zip-up jackets that wrap around the canvases. The painting incorporates the jacket by painting over it as if it was an extension of the canvas. It depicts a cityscape of the Mexican town where the artist grew up. The label, an example of effective curation methods with its messaging as we have learned in Arts Scholars, mentions how the artist "hopes to foster more open and honest conversations about her heritage". The technical details, such as bright colors to connect to the beauty and innocence of culture, and an expansive perspective, help me connect to the life of someone different from me. It literally and figuratively paints Mexican life into a good light. I am encouraged to build community with them. Another work that develops community is Cariño, a digital print by Edgar Reyes. It includes natural imagery that promotes the larger connection of humanity to nature, one we can find relatability and community in. In a tense political climate, it reminds viewers that we are all people sharing this natural world. There is a photo of the artist's family to force the audience to see the love in hispanic lives, through universal ideas such as family. Social issues are only prolonged without art to remind us that community within and across cultures (created by showing perspectives that the audience can connect to) is crucial to human life.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event

Maker Mixer: Thread and Trinkets, Hosted by TA Kaylin of Arts Scholars

Thursday, February 19th, 2026

Bel Air Hall Lounge, College Park, MD

#visualart #craft

Prompt #2: In what ways did this event challenge you to step out of your comfort zone? What value came from the experience of stepping outside your comfort zone?

This Maker Mixer brought me an opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone with fiber arts. Throughout Arts Scholars, I have explored a variety of art mediums that I no prior experience with, such as African drumming and vogue dancing. I have also gotten to analyze types of new art done by my peers. In a similar vain, making a keychain out of fabric with the element of sewing helped me understand the value of exploring many types of art. Having more perspectives and experiences helps me tackle uncomfortable art tasks with more confidence and expertise. I knew how to sew prior to this session, but I had never used it to make an actual piece of art. However, I did have experience with crochet. I took the ideas I knew from that to help me with something I was uncomfortable with in making the keychain: doing a tedious task many times while staying neat in my technique. I learned from crochet the ability to trust the process itself, and to embrace it as a meaningful expression of your own hand and skill, instead of being frustrated by it. Once I bridged the gap between art forms, sewing became a much less frustrating process. The value I got from stepping outside of my comfort zone with a new fiber art was learning how to trust the process in this way (using prior experiences to help). Even if the technique and materials were unfamiliar, I gained enjoyment from the learning curve in order to create a piece I am proud of. I will be more likely to go into other mediums with confidence and embrace the experience, taking mindset and skill improvements with me that I can apply to learning anything in my life.

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