Semester 3

The conversations around a work from the arts has reshaped my interpretations and understanding from my learned biases and beliefs. Not only am I able to see how my upbringing has skewed my interpretation and perception of works, but also have a greater open mind to works that I originally viewed as less sophisticated or not as pleasant. Learning about the different capstone projects of my fellow Arts Scholars has shown me that even something as simple as learning more about Maryland or improving an art skill can be done in a creative way that forces the viewers to re-examine topics that may have be perceived as boring or difficult such as analyzing and creating poetry.

Through Arts Scholars, I was able to learn useful models and strategies for initiating the creative process such as a mind map. It is an organized way to explore ideas, create sources of inspiration, and can lead to questions or further research. We used this method during the ideation step of our capstone projects which proved to be useful when solidifying my final project idea.

To improve the depth and clarity of our ideas, asking the specific questions to those reviewing our ideas as well as being asked questions can help us reflect on what our ideas may be lacking. Ensuring that the questions asked are answered in the development of our ideas such as how my capstone will inform the audience of each piece's historical context ensures that my project will be clearer and have more meaning to the viewers.

I read about the movement to preserve the public artworks from the Black Lives Matter movement. Through the Arts program, I was able to better appreciate the importance of the historical context of the pieces as well as the powerful message the artworks were able to convey. These artworks conveyed feelings of unrest, injustice, and calls for systematic change in a conversation starting way. Not only has conversations on intersectionality help my understanding of the need for large systematic change, but has also taught me how to bring up these conversations with friends and family in a productive manner.

The Arts supporting course Arts and Activism was the most interesting and revealing in connections to what I have experienced as an Arts Scholar. Learning about artworks that have been used in activist movements allowed me to explore and analyze artworks from different time periods as well as learn about historical movements including the Civil Rights Movement and the Feminist Movement. This has prompted me to further explore artworks and their historical contexts in my own capstone project as well as be able to be more active in conversations surrounding activism. Both the Arts Scholars program and the supporting course have encouraged me to incorporate activist messages within my own works and seek out the historical context and conversations around works from the arts.

This semester we worked on designing our capstone projects, and through discussions and feedback, I saw the limitless range this project could achieve. The creativity of my fellow Arts Scholars pushed me to incorporate ideas beyond simply just art, but also history in designing my own project. I could take this as an opportunity for an enjoyable art project, and a learning experience. They also helped develop my own project by giving ideas of other portrait artists I could investigate such as Rembrandt. Having time to discuss activities done in colloquium with my classmates makes it easier to digest and appreciate the material given by the guest lecturers, but being online, that time is often limited which can detract from my understanding.

Through the Arts Advisory Board, I have been able to contribute fun artistic social events to the Arts Scholars community such as origami nights and writing sessions. While it has been enjoyable to provide easy art centered events to spend more time with my Arts Scholars peers, it may be interesting to try and organize more events with a team building element that would involve competition or collaboration. When field trips were in person, I felt that sense of team building which has unfortunately not transitioned to the online environment as well.

Scholars has not brought me into contact with people or concepts that challenged my previous beliefs or opinions on an extreme level, but it has brought more social or environmental issues to my attention. For one example, I learned about the detrimental effect of the consumption of beef and maintaining cow farms on the environment through discussion with one of my peers and prompted me to do further research on the issue. While I was aware of the overconsumption of beef in the United States, the negative effects of the farms themselves was something I did not know about. The value of exploring issues from multiple perspectives is important in encouraging me to expand my critical thinking as well as form more compelling arguments around issues I am passionate about.

Reflections: Image

ePortfolio Reflection

Review your ePortfolio (pentathlons, semester reflections, capstone, bio/resume) and provide one or more example(s) of how these assignments demonstrate your growth in presenting your ideas through oral, written, and/or artistic forms of communication.

Comparing my ePortfolio and capstone website, you can see how much more comfortable I have become with using Wix as well as presenting my works. My capstone site looks much more polished and fully uses Wix’s features with links to other sites and displaying images in other ways besides having a photo with a description beside it as I have on my pentathlon page.

Provide two or more examples of how your perception of art has been influenced, challenged or redefined as a result of your program experiences. Be as specific as you can and consider interactions with guest artists through class discussions or activities, field trips or pentathlon events you’ve attended or collaborations you’ve encountered as part of your coursework.

The supporting course Art and Activism redefined my perception of the arts through learning about the role the arts have had in social justice movements as well as movements questioning the purpose of the arts such as Dada. I have found greater meaning in viewing the arts by considering their societal role rather than just its aesthetic. My perception of what makes an artist has also expanded through taking workshops. Seeing my own peers’ talents in creating art in fields that they may not be familiar with like in the poetry workshop I did this past semester has encouraged me to look for the artist in any person including myself. There are no boundaries at the creativity within a person even when creating something with a medium they are unfamiliar with.

In what ways did your capstone project draw upon what you have learned throughout your two years in the program (including colloquiums, supporting courses, and co-curricular activities)? How did concepts or techniques introduced to you through the program translate to or support your capstone project development?

The field trips and general Arts Scholars events all involved a different category of the arts from printmaking to musical knowledge and feeling welcome in trying these different forms of the arts improved my confidence in my own artistic abilities. This encouraged me to create a capstone project that focused on pushing my artistic boundaries. I achieved this by designing a project in which I try different styles of art and new mediums. The motivation and time management techniques recommended in the capstone course was helpful in finding accountability and encouragement from my peers.

Arts Scholars recognize that all artistic disciplines have intrinsic value (e.g., theatre, dance, visual art, music, design, etc.). In what ways have you deepened your existing artistic talents and interests through participation in Arts Scholars? In what ways have you expanded your creative abilities and interests?

The workshops have provided me an opportunity to explore parts of the art world that I had been hesitant to pursue further. I improved my poetry and musical skills, artistic interests that I had only touched the surface of before Arts Scholars. I learned more about the history of contemporary music and was exposed to more poetry as well as where to find poems daily. The pentathlons have also pushed me towards finding artistic events to attend in different forms which has kept the arts close to me both in a new environment of living on campus as well as adjusting to an online learning environment.

Looking back on your experiences in Arts Scholars, in what ways have you demonstrated an ability to collaborate effectively with those holding diverse artistic perspectives, interests, and abilities? Please describe at least one, specific example.

The main way I have shown my ability to collaborate with my peers who have had different artistic backgrounds has been embracing their differences with enthusiasm. Instead of focusing on my own artistic aptitude, I have been open to trying new forms of the arts and not criticizing them at first glance. For the first curation project of my freshman year, we worked with a smaller section of our classmates to curate an exhibition. We all chose to explore a common theme of the earth in our respective art skill sets, and I even worked with a partner in decorating cookies as a new form of the arts I had never worked with before.

Finally, how do you think your Scholars experience might inform your future? Are there lessons, methods, events, or other aspects of the Arts program you expect to draw upon academically (as a junior and senior, in post-undergraduate education), professionally (as you consider your career path) or personally (with respect to your own growth)?

The Arts program has shown me ways to seek out the arts in my daily life which will continue to shape my personal life as I search for ways to remain close to the arts. As for my professional career path, I am encouraged to keep my eyes open for work opportunities that are related to the arts rather than stay focused on solely STEM. Academically, I plan to continue to take arts related courses and have even taken on the Arts Leadership minor thanks to the programs bringing it to my attention.

Reflections: Text