Semester 1

Arts TRYathlon #1: NextNOW

Event Logistics (9/13/2023, Adele H. Stamp Student Union, "What We Do After: CAPP New Arrivals 2023")

#visualart

For my Arts TRYathlon #1: NextNOW event, I went to the The Stamp Student Union Gallery, where they presented "What We Do After", showcasing their new artwork from the Contemporary Art Purchasing Program 2023. This specific event caught my interest because my art history professor has mentioned it numerous times in lecture. I was especially looking forward to see the painting by Jenny Wu, named "Magically Found $768,000,000,000, 2022". The reason why I was so excited to see this piece is because I found her inspiration behind the painting very interesting along with my general attraction to modern art. While thinking about some topics we've focused on in Art Scholars, I was thinking about the general idea of "good art" as I walked around the gallery. While some of the pieces required me to look at the plaque to understand what they were about, you could still see the effort and thought behind each. For example, while looking at Jenny Wu's painting, I would have never guessed the meaning behind it, but I could still appreciate the pattern, colors, and craftsmanship. I definitely think that represents "good art". With that, obviously each piece was chosen out by a board of students who wanted art that would represent the University of Maryland student body. That being said, there is no surprise that all the pieces were undeniably "good art" which made it a pleasure to be able to attend the event and be able to view this collection or future CAPP collections whenever I visit Stamp!

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

Event Logistics (10/11/2023, Bel Air, Craft and Chat Cabochon Pendant Making)

#craftandchat #jewerlymaking

For my second Arts TRYathlon, I attended a Craft and Chat where we learned how to make Cabochon Pendants. We picked our color of string and then the type of metal for the pendant. After that, we looked through magazines and clipped out images to put in the metal pendants. I chose a picture of Audrey Hepburn and then a clipping of a picture frame and cheetah which I created a little collage with. I was so excited to find a picture of Audrey Hepburn because I have painted pictures of her before and I loved how the teal picture frame clipping contrasted with the black and white photograph of her. It was a very simple craft but extremely fun to see people making different variations, letting their individuality shine through. It was interesting, some people used magazine clippings of things they liked, and some just things where they liked how it looked. No matter the reason behind their pendants, they all turned out amazing, and I would say each and every person made "good art". I enjoyed being able to talk to other people in the Arts Scholars program, and just being able to create. This will definitely inspire me to go to more Craft and Chats when I have the opportunity!

Arts TRYathlon #3: Arts Scholars Event

Event Logistics (10/30/2023, Bel Air Hall, Peer Mentor Event- Stress Ball Making)

#Crafts

For my third Arts TRYathlon Arts Scholars Event I chose to attend the peer-mentor-hosted event where we would be making stress balls. When my mentor Queen sent us the flyer in our group chat, I knew I wanted to attend because it sounded simple and fun, and I am definitely in need of a stress ball these days due to midterms! When I got there, they played the Coraline movie and handed out snacks and it was all so festive and inviting. I have made stress balls before with balloons and flour but I had forgotten how messy it was. We rolled construction paper into funnels to get the flour into the balloons but soon realized a cut water bottle made a much more efficient funnel after some experimenting. I had to use two different balloons until I was able to make a successful stress ball. After some trial and error, I ended up with a cute smiley-face stress ball! It was very fun to experiment without fear of making a mess and just do a simple craft while watching a nostalgic movie. I had lots of fun, and it made me think about how art can be something non-serious too. I take art so seriously that sometimes I forget that making art doesn't have to add stress to your life, it can help get your mind off of other things and help you relax.

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