Semester 2

Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure

February 10, 2024 in the Bel Air Lounge               #crafting

TA Craft & Chat: Coaster Crocheting with Jenna!             

I am so glad I attended this Craft & Chat! It was on a Saturday, so I was one of few there, but it helped me connect with others there and see who else likes to spend a weekend crafting. I have always wanted to learn how to crochet, and as I have learned, this will be a years-long journey for me… it’s so hard! I got a good grasp on the coaster we made yesterday – I am still finishing it up in my dorm as I brought my own crochet hook – but Jenna helped us with the hardest part: getting started. The magic loop and the first six stitches. While it is daunting to know I will have to take on some harder projects and be able to read a pattern before I can really say that I can crochet, I am excited! Plus, I intend to spend some quality time with my grandmother asking her for help! I also know I will be able to be taught well by my workshop instructor Gracie in “Craftivism.” While I intended to sign up for the “Crochet 101” workshop, I am grateful to be in Gracie’s! We won’t get to crochet until the last few weeks, but she taught us how to cross stitch this week and I have a new love for it. One door closes and another opens. I actually ordered myself cross stitch supplies to do on my own as a way to de-stress. But back to crochet. I loved learning something new and intend to work at it! I am grateful for Art Scholars bringing me these opportunities to learn new hobbies. While some might think it’s lame that I spent my Saturday night crocheting in my dorm after this event, I am very happy with my choices.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

March 10, 2024 in the Cambridge Community Center                        #writing

Guided Journaling Workshop             

I was so excited to hear about this guided journaling session! It was a very grounding Sunday activity. I love that the leader was creating a guided journal herself for her Capstone Project. While this is not something that strikes people as “art” upon first glance, it absolutely is. It has the therapeutic qualities that some art does, and we did a page that had us physically doodle a tree, then use its roots to write things we are good at and its leaves for things we want to get better at. I have recently been sketching at the bottom of my journal entries, so it was a nice coincidence that this was a component of the session. My mind started naturally doing that, which must mean something! All of this brings me back to our conversation of “what is art?” from Colloquium I. I think that as a society, we are stretching the definition of art, and it is getting more people engaged. Like journaling, crafting might not be someone’s first thought when it comes to Art. But it certainly is! Anything creative, or powerful can be. I have found a new love for crafting in my Craftivism workshop, and I feel more creative than ever. To go back to journaling, though, I journal a lot. I struggle with anxiety and it helps me greatly. I can unravel my thoughts in a personal way, and I often learn something new about myself. As an English major, It goes right along with my passion for writing. I believe that the art of the written word is crucial for human sanity, and a lot of creative writing has a voice that sounds a lot like what we did today! I am fascinated by it all.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event

March 28, 2024 at the picnic tables next to Bel Air Hall                  #presentation

Arts Advisory Board's "Trinkets and S'mores" Hangout             

This was my first Art Advisory Board event. It was fun! I felt a strong community around me, composed of peers who are just as creative as I am. It is always kind of AAB to host events for us to bond. I plan on attending more in the future. “Trinkets and S’mores” was a special event because it was seasonal – we did an easter egg hunt! Finding the eggs connected me with my inner child, which is so important in life. I feel that art does both of these things always: through our Arts Scholars opportunities I am constantly feeling like I am a part of a great, creative community of people who are not afraid to be passionate about “little things” such as crafting, writing, performing – things that some people think are "kiddy." My current arts supporting course – double counted with my major as I am on the Creative Writing track – is “Writing Poems and Stories.” It is a small class, so I feel this same type of community. We are all also at different levels, so doing our writing workshops when we share things about ourselves it is very vulnerable. We are always speaking on childhoods and the beauty of spring, which is what this AAB event reminded me of. It is so important to let art infiltrate our lives in order to allow our inner childs to thrive. I was always creating art as a kid, and to still have these opportunities now helps my mental health greatly.