Semester 4

Arts TRYathlon #1: Choose Your Own Adventure

1 February 2025, SOUNDFYND, Lovers BPM

#music

One of the things I love about techno music is how seamlessly it blends with my experience as an autistic person. My stimming goes unnoticed, easily mistaken for a funky dance move. I love the freedom to jump, sing, and stay up late into the night, fully immersed in the music. A new, local organization, SOUNDFYND, hosted their first rave this past weekend, centering a lineup techno and Afrobeats from local DJs and artists. 

 In my art scholars capstone project, I am making a zine centering neurodiverse voices and our experiences with substances and addiction. The research I’ve been doing for my capstone project has helped me understand why I love some things and not others–and how my neurodiversity can impact this. For example, through reading Autism for Adults by Daniel M. Jones, I learned that many autistic folks seek sensory experiences through things such as loud music and repetitive movements, also known as stimming. For me, music and dancing are my ways to sensory seek. At the same time, many autistic folks can experience over-stimulation from specific sensory experiences, even while actively seeking them out. Throughout this rave, I took sensory breaks outside or drank water to help ground myself. 

I am grateful that my capstone project is not only allowing me to amplify neurodiverse voices, but also helping me develop skills to navigate life with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Choose Your Own Adventure

9 March 2025, Silkworm & Sammie J, Third Rail Radio

#music #visualart

Getting involved with Third Rail Radio as the live music social media manager has been an exciting opportunity to merge my passion for the arts with my skills in digital media. Designing promotional materials, such as the flyer and video clip for Sunday’s show featuring local University of Maryland artists, has allowed me to apply the creative and strategic communication skills I developed through my work as the graphic designer of the Art Advocacy Board and social media director of WeSkate.

Throughout my time in the Arts Scholars program, I have learned the importance of fostering artistic communities and creating spaces where artists can share their work. My role with Third Rail Radio continues this mission by promoting live performances that celebrate local talent. This experience has also reinforced my understanding of how digital media can shape audience engagement, an idea I explored while creating posts for Art Advisory Board events.

Additionally, my psychology major has provided insight into how art and music impact emotions and community connection. By curating content that highlights artists’ stories and creative processes, I aim to create a welcoming and inclusive space for both performers and audiences.

As my time in the Arts Scholars program comes to an end, I am grateful to continue participating in art-centered events beyond the program. This role has reaffirmed my commitment to supporting the arts and has given me a meaningful way to stay connected to the creative community at UMD.

P.S. Although I was not able to capture a selfie from this event, please take note that the caption of the digital flyer states that it was designed by @oaktre3e, which is my Instagram handle.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Choose Your Own Adventure

24 March 2025, Pear Street Warehouse, Weatherday

#music

Attending the Weatherday concert felt like stepping into a space of warmth and belonging. Weatherday is a Swedish musician who seemed very down to earth and kind. The intimate setting, filled with similarly kind and expressive individuals of all gender identities, created an atmosphere that reminded me of the importance of community—something I’ve studied in my psychology courses. Research in social psychology highlights how belongingness and positive social interactions contribute to mental well-being. At the concert, I witnessed firsthand how music fosters a sense of connection among people who might not otherwise cross paths. The shared experience of singing, dancing, and simply existing together in that space made it feel like home.

The event also connected to ideas from the Art Scholars scrapbooking workshop, taught by Olvia and Eliana, on how art serves as a vehicle for emotional expression and community building. Weatherday’s music, raw and deeply personal, resonated with the audience, allowing for a collective emotional experience. Live music creates a unique form of engagement where both the performers and audience feed off each other’s energy. The two local bands that opened the show set the tone for the night, and by the time Weatherday took the stage, the crowd was fully immersed. I danced until I felt dizzy, losing myself in the moment, and I saw others doing the same—fully present, expressing themselves without fear of judgment.

This concert reinforced the power of artistic spaces as inclusive, affirming environments. It reminded me that music is not just about sound; it’s about the people it brings together and the emotions it evokes. Whether in a concert venue or in broader society, spaces that encourage authenticity and uplift individuals are vital.