Semester 2

Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure

Arts Advisory Board - Heartmelt Delights

Tuesday, February 13, 2024 | 7:30-9PM at the Bel Air Lounge

#art #craft #foodart #presentation #creativity #freedom

When I went to this event, I had expected a quick process of just melting chocolate, decorating, and finishing. That was not the case. This night came with many instances of trial and error, disaster, but overall relief. I learned not to take art-making at face value, like my crochet workshop. My preconceived notion of both was that it would be easy, but starting taught me otherwise. Our recent lessons were that art can help with mindfulness and stress relief. I think that both these activities did both. I was stressed that I could not make the chocolates because we ran into issues with the microwave. I even burned a hole in our cup! In crocheting, things don't work as smoothly as I hope, or as quickly. With patience and a shifted mindset of, "This is meant to be a good experience", I started enjoying this art. It let me try new things and create designs that I wanted to. Eventually, it became relaxing, just as crocheting becomes once you get the hang of the hook in your hand. Even with this simple task, I saw that everyone around me easily completed their molds, and they looked almost perfect. I must have taken the wrong approach, but with art, flexibility is necessary to make something great.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

Craft and Chat - Diamond Painting

Friday, March 1, 2024 | 6-9PM at the Bel Air Lounge

#art #craft #meticulous #presentation #relaxing #detailed

I had never heard of diamond painting before. After receiving a stack of sheets with various designs during the event, I deliberated over what image I wanted to create. I picked a butterfly because it would be the prettiest final result. Thinking about it now, I should have chosen the piece that I found the most interesting, which was one with the sun as the main object. The thing about art is that it should be personal, authentic, and enjoyable. If I considered my preferences, I would be happier finishing the piece. Although I didn't get my first choice, I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. When I learned we were allowed to take the kits home, I was excited to share this experience with my family. I thought about how relaxing this would be to complete, and it sparked my love for simple art forms to pass the time. In my Crochet 101 colloquium, we discussed the patience required for creating a piece. Diamond painting has parallels to crocheting, as they both take considerable time to complete. Even though it may seem like it does not require any skill, some people master efficiency. I am glad I attended this occasion because I wouldn't have had it not been an Arts Scholars Event. After I finish this I can't wait to buy another one and do it again!

(I will update this website to show my progress!)

Arts TRYathlon #3: Art Scholar's Event

Craft and Chat - Pottery Class

Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 4:30-5PM at Studio A in Stamp

#art #sculpture #patience #relaxing #messy #skill

I am incredibly grateful I had the opportunity to take this class. The pottery class was a limited-participant event I was lucky enough to attend. I have wanted to do pottery for years, but I never felt like I could take the time to pursue such an expensive task if it wasn't necessary; I find it to be such a beautiful, careful art. Pottery is an activity I have never had experience with (unless you count modeling clay). In our craft and chat, the other students and I learned how to work with clay using the pinch technique. Because we didn't have enough time, we worked purely with our hands and some smoothing and cutting tools. This is the perfect example of practicing mindfulness, which is one thing I learned to do in my Crochet101 class. With every project in crocheting, I have to be particular and focused, otherwise I may end up with a failed project. As opposed to crocheting, the art of pottery especially requires mindfulness because a mistake in the process would require you to start from the beginning, as well as the possibility of limiting the material you have to work with at the time. For example, I failed at creating even thickness around my bowl, and though I tried to salvage it, ultimately I decided to mash my clay back into a ball and work again. Unfortunately, the clay was dry, so I learned trial, error, and patience-which is one aspect of mindfulness. I was frustrated and worried about my limited time to work on my piece. Thankfully, however, I got everything done and am excited to see my finished ceramic soon!