Young Writers & Artists Curator & Podcaster · Nontaporn Silruk · NYU Abu Dhabi

I'm originally from Chiang Mai, Thailand and double major in Visual Arts with Film and New Media. I'm collaborating on a celebrating the art of teaching and community. What I love about art is the fact that it is an opening space that allows all topics to be discussed. Raising sensitive topics such as social issues in an art form is a very powerful to invite everyone to integrate and interact. I strongly believe that art, in many ways, plays a big role in our lives and society.

It is very difficult for me to find a teacher or an after school program I have attended and helped me became who I am today, but one program that I have joined since 7th grade and still am part of it, is a foundation called, Hualaem The Gifted and Talented Foundation. This foundation is found by the three intelligent Thai educators who are ambitious to lift up the quality of Thai education. This foundation provides academic camps for Thai students during Summer and school breaks. Students who apply and have been accepted will get a scholarship package which covers accommodation and course fee. As a person who has been exposed to different types of education in Thailand; private, public, and international schools; I am confident to say that what Hualaem foundation has provided to its students is not what is taught in any Thai school. For the academic aspect, Hualaem teaches me to look at the world from different perspectives. The three teachers guide us to see the world in the view of an economist, a historian, a scientist, a mathematician, an artist, and so on. Besides that, the foundation has taught me how to be a giver. As the mission and vision of the foundation is not only to build a good and intelligent person but also to teach one to learn how to give. The foundation achieved that by giving the most valuable treasure to me and other students which is education. I believe that education does not only relate to one’s intelligence but also helps to shape the person to acknowledge things around him or herself which brings the world a better place. And because of the gift the foundation has given me, I am able to educate myself and learn how to give back to the community I am living in.

My recent project was an exhibition on a topic of domestic violence at home. I created this exhibition under a curiosity of my own culture but also a frustration of not being able to fully understand it. Home Sweet Home was an exhibition about domestic violence that is an often-overlooked matter in various societies. From my experience witnessing home violence and growing up in a culture where talking about family violence is taboo, I felt this was an issue that needs more attention. I hoped to use the exhibition to express my feelings while raising awareness of this unfortunately stagnant issue. The exhibition contained mixed media, such as embroidery, sculpture, and photography. It held a small group discussion of myself, my peers, and the audience on the opening night.

The future project that I have in mind is about politics and/or the inequality in Thailand. I have a strong passion for talking about the flaws in my community not to expose the negative side of it but to advocate and provoke thoughts to the insiders and outsiders about the problem. The inspiration of this topic comes from non-fiction books that I have read in high school, the book that has played a big part is “ขุนทอง เจ้าจะกลับเมื่อฟ้าสาง”, which has thirteen short stories, reflecting the Thai society from 1973-1978. Within this project, I strongly believe that by bringing up such sensitive topics to the table, especially in an art form, it allows us to talk about it freely with no or fewer judgments.

Creative Voices Curator · University of Washington · Tierney Nelson

In high school, I struggled in my home life. Freshman year, I was on the verge of failing multiple classes and had little motivation to care about anything. There was, however, one class I gladly attended that excited me and made me want to learn: AP English Composition. The class itself was just like any other composition class… plenty of Shakespeare, plays, and prose fiction. What made is special was my teacher, Ms. Cerasoli, who saw me like an actual person as opposed to just a student with missing work. She avidly encouraged me to keep writing and keep turning things in even though I was behind. She made sure I knew she was available to talk about anything (school or unrelated) during breaks or in between classes. Many teachers are overworked and tired; it makes sense they wouldn’t particularly care or reach out to one struggling student out of hundreds. I was lucky to have one teacher who told me that just because I’d been struggling didn’t mean I had to continue, and the fresh starts always exist. I believe in the school system, many kids, including myself, get so consumed with this idea of failure when they’re in it, they can’t see past it. Once a kid starts slipping in school, that’s how they look at themselves and how they place their self-worth. After that year, she always greeted me in the hallways and would occasionally chat and check in even though I wasn’t her student anymore. I got her as a teacher again my senior year; this time around, I was motivated to get into college through community college and had confidence in my intelligence. Now that I’m studying at University, the world still gets overwhelming and failures still happen. My teacher shaped my life as a student because now I know that being successful means learning from past mistakes, to not let them define me, and certainly never let them discourage me from trying to be better.

A recent project of mine is not one I will ever perform to the public. Instead, this project has been a journey of healing through art so I can learn how others can heal through art. I’m currently enrolled in DANCE 479: Liberation Theory and Praxis at the University of Washington. I have been a dancer my whole life, but in this class we merge academic readings with movement in the classroom to learn about the healing properties of dance. There is evidence that humans hold intergenerational trauma in our bodies; through the way we move, breathe, and navigate space. Many scholars believe that a way of breaking this cycle is through movement; through understanding why the body moves the way it does, why it responds the way it naturally does, then working towards freeing the body to move in ways that create joy and liberation. It has been an amazing journey and something I will continually pursue.

I am currently working on my senior capstone project, “Reflection Detention”. Aforementioned, I struggled personally in primary school. One thing I remember was sitting in detention being told to “think about why I ended up here”. That never worked once, I thought about anything except the real reason, which was that my home life was struggling. My project will bring yoga into middle school detentions, giving students the opportunity to get into their body and feel their emotions as opposed to forced silence. There are studies that show yoga helps those suffering from anxiety, depression, and PTSD which are all increasing problems within the new generation. These problems disproportionately affect children from single-parent households, low-income households, and communities of color; needless to say, this also affects their performance in school. The goal of the project is to make detention a place of actual rehabilitation instead of pure punishment.

The Gender Box
by Tierney Nelson

I was born free – a wildling who rolled in the mud and danced with bunnies –

They put me in a cardboard box and told me it was made of steel.

I never doubted so I never tried.

It got pretty boring in the box, pretty dark, pretty…

Very pretty.

I made sure the ribbon around my waist was shorter than the ribbon around my hips.

The corners of my mouth turned up into a million-dollar smile.

Why are you breathing so loud?!

Is that your chest rising up and down?!

STOP! Your tears will wet the cardboard—I mean steel!

Steel, I meant steel!!

I wish I could say I escaped the box in a spectacle of light and glory:

Twirling my hair, pushing light through my fingers,

Fingers that press against the oppressive plastic window.

But I saw the dried mud under my fingernails, and the bunny begging me to chase him,

So I did.

Young Writers & Artists Curator · Rachel M. Alsbury · University of Madison Wisconsin

This past winter, from December 31st to January 19th, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Costa Rica. I had never left the United States before, so I was extremely nervous. I was going to study Spanish and live with a host family. Prior to this opportunity, I had barely studied the Spanish language. It was extremely intimidating, challenging, beautiful, interesting, and hands down the most positive experience of my entire life. One of the best elements of this experience was having the opportunity to work with Hilda, a Spanish language teacher. I spent five hours a day with Hilda studying the curriculum for Spanish 2. She challenged me every minute I was in the classroom. She also supported me and believed in me more than any educator I have ever had. This blew me away, as a senior in college, because of the fact that she did not even know me. On the fourth day in her classroom, we worked on an assignment that centered on verb conjugations. I got every question wrong on the worksheet. I felt embarrassed because this was not the first time I failed in Hilda's classroom, and I was not used to failing. In fact, I have spent my entire life striving to ensure that I succeeded at everything. It has been an impossible challenge to place on myself, but I had never failed as much as I did during my time in Hilda's classroom. On this particular day, when I got every question wrong on a 20 question worksheet, I broke down. I started to cry and I felt a lot of shame. Hilda looked at me and she said, "I know you are frustrated, but please do not cry. You are smart. You are capable. You just need more time. You are learning." I could not stop crying after she said this because I realized that she was right, yet no one had ever said that to me before. I have never been granted the space to fail, recognize my shortcomings, and continue again. Hilda helped me study Spanish, but she also helped me recognize the value of embodying a growth mindset. I wish I had learned this lesson sooner, but I plan to be a lifelong learner. Therefore, I am grateful to Hilda for influencing the person I am today and into the future. 

I have started a few projects that I am really proud of. The first project is called the Healthy Academics Toolkit with our campus University Health Services. This is a resource that offers evidence-based strategies and campus resources for faculty and instructors across the UW-Madison campus. I have worked to collect resources and format them for the website. I have also been working on a personal project of writing where I write about my life and my experiences. I am also working as a writing fellow and volunteer with the UW Madison Writing Center and the Driftless Writing Center, where we help writers and communities share their stories either through writing or oral histories.

In terms of plans for the future, I am at a point in my life where I do not know what is coming next. I have recently gotten extremely interested in writing, and I hope to find a career path that focuses on helping people gain access to resources, advocating for social issues, and that centers on writing and communication and am delighted to be collaborating with The Creative Process, sharing my own writing and stories from my university and community.

Community Outreach & Creative Voices Curator · University of Washington · Elise Benson

The after school program which has made the biggest impact in my life would be the Asian American Center of Frederick (AACF) , where I volunteered during the last two years of my high school career.  The AACF’s mission is to enhance community services, empower local communities, and enrich Frederick’s culture through diversity. AACF provides services that span from health care, citizenship assistance, and English classes. The AACF has helped over 2,000 people during 2017. The AACF has taught me valuable lessons in leadership and community through my position as ambassador, the official name for an AACF volunteer. Leadership is defined as “the action of leading a group of people or an organization”, and while volunteering at AACF I have spent much time following this definition. I’ve helped bring in new volunteers to the organization, informed the public about the AACF services offered to our community, as well as participated in providing AACF services to the public. The AACF has helped me become a more active member in my community, allowing me to bridge connections between myself and my community.

The last project I worked on was helping the AACF survey the Frederick community and the people who used the AACF in order to get accurate readings for a grant. Although I haven't worked on a project in a few months, I am excited to for my future endeavors and projects that I will pursue. I do not have a concrete plan for my future, but I know that I am interested in international studies and cultural exchange and that I would like to work in a field where these topics are present. For more short term plans, this summer I plan to take the Japanese intensive foreign language class offered by UW as well as working during the summer.

Collaborating Curator & Podcaster · Oberlin College · Olivia Lu

With The Creative Process, I am continuing to learn about the world through cultural and educational engagement, have the opportunity to curate an exhibition with global perspectives, and collaborate with fellow creatives to expand my imagination and creative limits.

I am a second year student at Oberlin College studying Neuroscience and Computer Science with a minor in Studio Art. I have interests in exploring neural networks, neurodegenerative diseases/health, swarm intelligence, and exploring how the various applications of science and technology to art stimulate the mind, and generates effective narratives.. I'm currently working on a community-based mosaic with local nursing homes and correctional facilities, and running Oberlin's Asians in America art and literary magazine As I Am. I value cultural and educational engagement, and am excited to have the opportunity to curate a global exhibition guided by my experiences abroad in Hong Kong with other fellow creatives. I am highly creative and motivated to my artistic experiences to bridge art and cognition—to apply design in interactive arts or science exhibits.

I’d like to think of myself as both an artist and scientist, as the interdisciplinary aspect of my passions has allowed me to be curious, exploratory, and meaningful in my creative processes in both fields of art and science. Seen in most of my past artwork, I focus on myself, what I see, and experiences around me. However, I aim to engage with my surrounding community more in order to incorporate more complex ideas and connect the stories of others. I believe that community engagement and collaboration is a crucial part in any wide scale project; having traveled to Hong Kong on a community-based service learning trip, I am grateful for the people I talked to at different site visits and to have had an opportunity to develop an international perspective in a global society, as well as participate in civic engagement and community building. 

Being editor in chief of As I Am has allowed me to hone in on things I’ve learned in a teamwork driven setting. Through our workshops and discussions, assistance in cultural events, and crafting the publication together, As I Am strives to create a space for Asian artists.

The Art of Teaching Curator · Young Artists & Writers Mentor · Pace University · Pauline Kuranchie

Honestly, initially, when I was looking at The Creative Process website, I was like–I'm not very artistic in the traditional sense. So, I didn't actually think I was a good fit at all, but I was looking at the Young Artists page and things that other people wrote and how they were bringing in their own little quirks. Someone wrote about teaching. Another was a neuroscience major and said–I want to write about the art of the brain. I just thought it was so cool.

I’m a sophomore at Pace University majoring in Language, Culture, and World Trade and minoring in Statistics. I’m collaborating with The Creative Process on celebrating the art of teaching and community arts programs, especially through travel and language learning. I firmly believe global competency is vital in such a rapidly changing (and often hostile) world. Living in Africa and NYC has allowed me to recognize different perspectives, appreciate different cultures, and inspired my love for learning new languages. Unfortunately, not many low-income students in NYC have this opportunity. So, I help bring travel to classrooms by teaching Global Education lessons to middle schoolers in the Bronx to inspire them to become curious about the world. I am looking forward to exploring the connection between teaching and traveling as well as sharing my students’ stories!

A teacher who has made a difference in my life is my 8th grade teacher Ms. Nolan. Throughout that year, she built my academic confidence through her encouraging words. I was the only Black girl in a pre-dominantly White middle school so I always felt that I had to work extra hard to prove myself and often felt insecure when I couldn’t. Ms. Nolan would consistently praise my work in class to boost my confidence. She reminded me that my reading skills were above my grade level and constantly challenged me to become an even better reader and writer. I would not be the student I am today without Ms. Nolan’s encouragement.

My plan for the future is to get a Master’s degree in Public Policy. One of my recent projects is a research paper on de facto segregation in Harlem schools. I will be presenting this paper on March 7th at the annual meeting of the Society of Fellows of Dyson College.

Young Writers & Artists Curator · Occidental College · Percy Byron

Tell us about a teacher or library that made a difference in your life and helped you become the student you are today.

What a question to pose someone who grew up shy! I lived in my public library (oh, Niles, Illinois), as I linger now on the fluorescent-lit floor of my professor's offices (where I write this). A small difference is in quality of coffee; the Niles Public Library touted a technological miracle to a caffeine-sheltered kid—the almost-instant latte vendor. Besides, on-campus affairs are blessed with real espresso. I feel a halo of energy while imagining my Professor-Nestor figure, ecstatically procrastinating my copy of Ulysses. This intertextual impulse (a habit, really), could never have gnawed my pulse so had I not, on whim (and a shining myriad of ratemyprofessor quips), registered for The Dionysian in Modern Thought. Freshman year, first semester, first class—Professor Damian Stocking. Such kalediscopic openness, a hint of unlethal Siren Song, in that class, that mentor. How could I have found Comparative Studies in Literature and Culture otherwise? I knew about Anne Carson; I had no clue what to do with her. I wanted to chase art history, snatch a crown of some museum curator. In New York, probably. I'm too-rooted in Los Angeles now, speaking of museums (and, well, coffee overpriced). 

Look at my laptop tabs: I count 6 alone for The Poetry Foundation (hello, Eliot! Siken, Pound, Ashbery…). I never thought I had a poet's guts; I picked the name Percy (long story) as somewhat of a joke, an enclitic form of my last Romantic name (Byron, though I'm not British-descended). Professor Stocking has better sight by far, a sharper diagnosis—as Athena to Telemachus, he stirred my soul to being-in-the-world. That precious contingency with others: Writing. Textual identification beyond any imagining—like cradling a living thing, sharing its steady whisper. An intensification of togetherness. And, too, he drew close the dreaded-beloved pantheon of philosophy (Bataille, I think, speaks best to me; and my Catholic guilt communes well with Kierkegaard). What a whimsical alter! What words! Not to clip the blooming wings of a praise-poem, but I will place my thoughts simply: never could I have dared to break the caesural pause of my past without Professor Stocking, and the Oxy CSLC department. I have heard my future in lectures and library-pages, and it resounds like homecoming.

Still a writer uncertain, I try to traipse a tightrope between academia and beauty (I like Blake's thought of exuberance); most of my recent projects have been for my CSLC classes, those clever chimeras awaiting taming, and as such are products of philosophy and poetry's meeting. The first paper which kindled my hope for a career in academia (currently I hope, pray, a publication house will embrace me) brought Ginsberg's Howl and Bataille's The Accursed Share together in delirious dialogue. I prefer that eclectic pattern, and have kept it up— Zizek and McCarthy, Catullus and Cixous, Nancy and...everyone. The vision of this scholarly strain would be a dizzying rhizomatic twisting, gleaming faintly Deleuzean, but I know I'm not that good. I hardly learned grammar in middle school, in high school (I've just discovered noun cases, thanks to Ancient Greek). I'm weaving a web with still-absent thread. Not everything I can do is new-born, however; I’m hopelessly indebted to anyone inkstained (or lyre-struck) before me. Yet! I try; “For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business." I want (I say to T.S Eliot's daunting shade) to make everything my business. For a start, an Occidental poetry club. (Next, the world?)

Collaborating Curator & Podcaster · Georgetown University · Yu Young Lee

The arts is how humans communicate things that are ineffable in and out of our lives. It is the best way we record history; it is how we feel a little less alone. When I am creating, and I'd like to believe that this is the case with everyone, I feel a surge of not only power, but happiness. Through The Creative Process, I hope to see how people curate their own stories and experience novel forms of creativity. I want to experience the what's, the how's, the why's and the who's. 

I am a writer and deputy editor for The Guide, the arts and culture sections of The Hoya, Georgetown University's oldest and largest newspaper. I am currently taking a class in Georgetown's Maker Hub, a makerspace that fosters creative thinking, and innovation through practical means, using 3D printers, laser cutters, textile machinery, etc. I am also taking a creative writing class, where I am fostering my writing skills and finding and expressing my voice. I hope to write in the future—I hope to continue to create.

Education Outreach & Creative Voices Curator · Michigan State University · Erin Tisdel

Art has always been something very important to me since I began carrying around my sketch book in second grade. I believe it is so important and I want to help others feel connected to its importance, too. I have worked at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum for over 2 years and am currently am a supervisor engaging with visitors and education outreach. I interned in London for a summer working at the Westminster Archive Centre in Conservation. Some of my recent projects include co-curating an exhibition in East Lansing, MI on the dualities of home and taking a leadership role in the weekly community making program, Studio (in)Process, at the Broad Art Lab. I will be graduating in May and hope to continue on to get my masters and continue working in art museums.

Community Outreach · Young Writers & Artists Curator · Columbia University · Ashley Jiao

Not only is art a means of communication and a beautiful form of personal expression, but art is also inherently political because of what it chooses to depict/exclude. For this reason, beyond my love for the technique itself, I want to explore the ways art can be applied to bring specific issues into focus: sustainability, minority representation, gender equality, etc. I feel that the lack of diversity in the artistic canon, which greatly excludes non-European artists and women, internalized in me the idea that mimicking European art is the one correct goal for an artist. My interest in art history and “good art” was placed in what museums shone a spotlight on, and I want to reconnect with my own sense of self as an artist by being proud of my identity that falls outside of the current artistic canon. With all my current school commitments, many of them art-related, I find it difficult to bring myself to allocate the time for my personal art projects. With The Creative Process, I hope to dedicate time into implementing the ideas that have been running through my head, to broaden my creative mindset through curation and podcasts, and to share my perspective as an Asian female artist.

In the past, I’ve practiced art in the form of traditional mediums, and oil paint is still my medium of choice. My portfolio depicts mostly scenes and people in my personal life, with a touch of Surrealism. Recently, I’ve moved into using my skills in art to impact people other than myself. For example, I’m currently illustrating for the Columbia Spectator each week, and I teach art to kids at the Windham school in Harlem. 

While I’m immensely proud of what I’ve accomplished thus far, I yearn to challenge my comfort with traditional materials and do something that pushes me out of my comfort zone. Recently, when I saw Project Coelicolor at the Cooper-Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, designed by Natzai Audrey Chieza, I was instantly intrigued. The patterns on the textiles immediately caught my eye, the beautiful dyed/marbled effect produced using pigment-producing microbes. Chieza’s method offers an alternative to traditional dyeing methods, which pollute gallons upon gallons of fresh water with chemicals. I see Chieza’s project as an amazing mixture of art, science, and sustainability. I realized that a great next step for me as a creative would be in a more applied art, design, interdisciplinary direction. With this in mind, I even joined Design for America this semester to learn about the process of human-centered design thinking. By exploring the intersections between art, fashion, politics, sustainability, and more, I believe that I will better be able to grasp a sense of my artistic self. 

One main example of these interdisciplinary project ideas is a sculpture or fashion piece made out of everyday items which cannot be recycled but also are not biodegradable. I am also interested in photographing abstract, avant-garde fashion made from these materials in an exploration of color and form (Arielle Bobb-Willis is my greatest photography muse at the moment). I’d love to represent women of color in these photos to target stereotypes and give more representation to these underrepresented intersectional groups.

Young Writers and Artists Curator & Podcaster · University of Washington · Chayani (Nina) Rubesch

I think art is important because it is universal and everywhere around us; therefore, it is accessible. I think there is a misconception that art and the process are often expensive, but it does not have to be. It is something all peoples of the world can share. When I first moved from Thailand to the US, it was a hard transition to fit into the culture, but I got involved in theatre tech in my high school. The theatre community introduced me to people I would be afraid to connect with on the outside. It gave me encouragement and reassurance that everyone, despite cultural differences, can appreciate art and the creative process. As part of my academic focus in university, I am interested in how people interact, specifically in communities, so I became really interested in the importance of communities. The crucial aspects of communities are communication and collaboration, which are also all important for the creative process.

Creativity is important because it drives curiosity and exploration. When you learn creative process, you are trained to do design thinking, and often critical thinking. These skills are not only useful in this field, but in anything you do in life.

In working with The Creative Process, I hope to learn how to connect with creative individuals, locally or globally, in professional settings. I also hope to learn ways to share awareness and information about the arts to communities that are underrepresented or those that do not have access to it. Art should not be a privilege, but an option everyone has. 

In November of last year, I was hired as a costume designer for a theatre production called Vietgone at the University of Washington. I had always been involved in theatre production as stage manager, set designer and crew throughout high school; however, this was considered a more professional job. I designed costumes, which includes buying and doing alterations, for the 1960-1970 Vietnam era. This was a big time commitment as I had to attend weekly production meeting and rehearsal everyday for tech week leading up to the opening night of the production. During those times, I had the opportunity to collaborate with many talented artists and actors, who all contributed to the success of the show. I was the main costume designer, but I was able to do my job successfully because of the inspiration and encouragement from my peers. I have plans to join more productions in the future and take on more leadership roles, such as a stage manager or assistant director. I want to take on the bigger roles to learn and facilitate communication and collaboration of different groups of people.

I also recently decided to pursue Architecture as a minor, along with my major, Urban Planning. I am currently in a course for Architecture Light and color, where I learn how light and color play a role in architecture. I want to pursue this major because it offers me space to explore my passion for art and creating, which I do not get to do enough of in my major.

Creative Voices Podcaster & Curator · Michigan State University · Caitlyn Danforth

For my recent projects, I have been working with my professor on a dig site in Isthmia, Greece. I have been reading over old archaeology notebooks from the site that list information about the dig and artifacts found within the different areas of the site. Our focus is on coins but we do not limit it to those. Once the list of artifacts, locations, depths, and extra information is collected on an excel sheet we will plot the artifacts, baskets/boxes on an interactive recreation of Isthmia using the GIS program.

Going forward, I plan on participating in as many archaeology dig sites as possible. I would like to use my degrees and career field to see the world while learning the history of it. I hope to find a career within a museum being a curator or working with collections and exhibitions as well. My first collaboration with The Creative Process is working on their Greek interviews and podcasts. They are connected to a number of artists and institutions in Greece, including museum directors, curators, and archaologists, so I look forward to learning from these conversations and adding my creative response.

The importance of art and creativity is not only the expression and the emotions evoked or produced through the pieces but a sense of individualism, of history. Using art we can gather so much information about an individual, culture or way of life. The technique used or the object being studied is a jumping-off point that provides the key to a locked door. It opens up our world and knowledge to so much context, ritual, history, style, etc... Without art, in all sense of the word, we wouldn't know where to start. It is our bridge.

I hope to learn everything I absolutely can. I want to use this opportunity to be a sponge, to explore new fields and actually be apart of the full process. I want to produce something I can look at and go, yes, I did that. I was apart of that, I helped create this exhibit or collection that will help others learn. I want to share my passions and what I find joyful and interesting with others. It will also put me in touch with others that share my dreams as well as learning new insights into something I already may know about. This gives me the option to meet some of the people who I look up too in the field and the connections to be made will be wonderful.

A recent example of my creative work was helping create the "In Our Nature" exhibit, which entailed compiling information, creating a label, choosing a piece and collaborating with other students and artists to build the exhibit and make it a success. 

Collaborating Curator & Podcaster · Columbia University · Jiayi Gu

I am Jiayi (Estelle), a current graduate student pursuing critical and curatorial studies with a focus on modern and contemporary art at Columbia University. During my years as an undergrad at Sarah Lawrence College, I have concentrated on Italian art in the 1900s, such as Futurism, Metaphysical Art, Arte Povera, and am now broadening my geographic scope of research to East Asia and examining various artistic mediums besides paintings and sculptures, like performance, video art, installation. My primary concern at the moment is the rapport between Chinese contemporary art and globalization, as well as the issue of curation in relation to the mutual influence between art and culture. As I plan on remaining in New York this coming summer instead of going back to my home country, I am looking for curatorial opportunities to put my knowledge into practice aside from my thesis preparation. As a Chinese who has been studying in the United States for seven years and spent one year in Italy, I, besides being multilingual (fluent in Chinese, English and Italian and know basic French), manage to adapt to and live with diverse cultures that shape me into a global citizen. The experience abroad in fact prompts me to reflect on cultural exchange in which I am inclined to participate. I yearn to be an ambassador and facilitator of art and culture across different countries.

From my perspective, the arts encompass a variety of artistic mediums through which we express ourselves and provide the platform that encourages dialogue and exchange of thoughts. On the one hand, the arts itself is a representation of creativity and originality. On the other hand, communication is key because not only does it fulfil our aspiration to spread the words, it also invites feedback that might open the door to another unforeseen realm. This reciprocal process indeed broadens our horizon and sets free our creative potential. Previously working as the communication intern at the Center for Italian Modern Art (CIMA), I collaborated with the membership coordinator and engaged in maintaining contact with current members, drafting social media posts, facilitating events and identifying potential members. From such experience, I realize how imperative it is to reach out and to arouse public interest in art. As soon as the portal is open, interaction follows and never ceases.

With The Creative Process, I intend to meet more people and get hands-on experience on curating exhibitions. In addition, what I have not done before but am longing to attempt is to get involved in the podcast since I savor the conversation with creative intellectuals from all walks of life.

Collaborating Curator of Indigenous & Marginalized Voices · University of Washington · Catherine Matey

I recently graduated from the University of Washington Bothell and I double majored in Culture, Literature, and the Arts(CLA) and Global Studies. I plan to go back to university to get my Masters.

I think a major importance of the arts is to give out messages about important issues. I think of art being used in movements and I realize how important its existence is. It offers a new perspective and a new view to a matter. Art in a way is its own language. Some people need it as an outlet to express themselves fully in this way, and other people need it in order to understand those people and their perspective. I think that art unites people as well. I'm thinking culture-wise. Cultures may be vastly diverse with different customs, beliefs, and languages but art might help us discover that we have some commonalities. As the world becomes more globalized I think of, for example, how music or film across the world is being more so appreciated across borders. We are starting to not see language as a barrier that makes us different, but instead are valuing the art that is produced by these different cultures in order to appreciate and relate to one another. This is important because as we progress as humanity we must set aside our differences to work together and solve world issues. Through The Creative Process, I'd like to learn more about art curation as it is something I'm very curious to pursue. I'd like to learn about the process. I am also very much interested in helping showcase our local artists in this traveling exhibition. I think that we live in a quite diverse community as it is, therefore international viewers might definitely relate to at least one piece of work. I would like to help to achieve this goal of putting together a cohesive yet diverse exhibition

Drawing of my dogs (Eleanor, Napoleon, and Prince)

First time using charcoal. (Apple in skull)

Xerox art(?)(inspired by an anime called No Game No Life)

Associate Podcast Producer & Interviewer · UC Berkeley · Bella Estrada

Storytelling is important because it is the way that the world is viewed. With every rhythm, infliction, and beat of sounds in the world; people interpret it and view the world through their lense of interpretation. The value of creativity is being able to take control of the storytelling ability that you have, in order to deliver a message of self-expression in whichever medium one wishes. Through the Creative Process, I hope to get more experience in being to help portray the stories of people who wish to tell it, namely through podcasts and interviews.

My most recent project has included being part of the news department at my school radio station. Through this, I was able to choose which news stories to broadcast on the radio station in the morning. Although the news does not sound like the most creative outlet in the world, it has really allowed me to hone in on my storytelling skills, in order to choose and articulate news stories in ways that I wished for them to be delivered. My plans for the future include training to be a DJ at the station, as this allows more creative freedom and taking up an internship in Australia over the summer that focuses on radio broadcasting.

Associate Podcast Producer & Interviewer · Katrina Espano · DePaul University

The reason I went into the field of Film and Journalism is because I found that to be the most impactful way to spread a message in my generation. That's where importance in storytelling and creativity. By spreading a message through something entertaining and visually or audibly stimulating, it can create a much more powerful message for people around the world, especially children. I hope to experience shining the light on the ordinary like "invisible art" in a bigger and much more impactful platform than just myself. By that, I feel I am doing my job and fulfilling my purpose as an artist. The purpose for my projects and the reason why I’ve The Creative process team is so I can bring an understanding of other people's lives to the audience.

Recent projects that I've worked on are a few short films that I've helped write and edited for post production. I have also been working on a documentary series covering ordinary jobs but shedding light into the craft put into that work for my audience to understand the detail and work put into something they may think is simple and easy. I am also currently working on a documentary that covers the cultural differences between the Philippines and the United States by documenting two teenagers and living their everyday lives. I will provide a link below to my website providing that content. My wishful plans for the future is to go out and travel, to document different cultures and bring an understanding to everyone around the world.

Associate Podcast Producer & Healing Arts Curator · University of Pennsylvania · Erin Kennedy

I am drawn to this opportunity to innovate through storytelling during my graduate studies and contribute to Mia Funk’s mission to inspire future generations of students. As a registered nurse pursuing my PhD with a research focus in healthcare informatics, I have experience in a unique set of disciplines spanning across healthcare, technology, and business. Although I no longer practice clinically, my nursing identity remains at the core of each of my professional endeavors. In my other roles as a student leader at Penn, marketing intern at a healthcare technology startup called Florence Healthcare, and researcher, I continue to find myself translating information between disciplines, brainstorming solutions to problems, and asking questions to assess each professional situation I encounter, much as I would do at the bedside. I believe these experiences have helped me build the confidence to learn the language of new disciplines and approach people outside of nursing to learn more about how they think and how we could collaborate, which could serve as a foundation for podcast interviewing and production.

My background in nursing research and student leadership have also equipped me with foundational writing and interviewing skills, which I am delighted to build upon at The Creative Process. I have research experience from four different studies at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Penn Medicine which led to two published academic papers in peer-reviewed journals. In addition to scientific writing, my doctoral research residency in informatics and nursing coursework have helped me develop my skills in grant-writing and prose. Working on interviews and podcasts enables me to challenge myself to learn a new medium and grow as a scholar. In terms of leadership, I currently serve on Penn Nursing’s faculty and student awards selection committee, as an alumni interviewer for Penn, and have experience in peer advising as well as undergraduate student leadership. All of these volunteer positions have been a rewarding way for me to advise and learn from a spectrum of people spanning new undergraduate students to endowed faculty members.
I am interested in growing my creative mind through the art of interviewing on a larger scale. Essentially, I see contributing to The Creative Process as an opportunity to inspire future generations of students and learn from creative thinkers and viewers.

Two of my published papers:

Situational Use of Child Restraint Systems and Carpooling Behaviors in Parents and Caregivers: 10.3390/ijerph15081788

Factors Associated with Cell Phone Use While Driving: A Survey of Parents and Caregivers of Children Ages 4-10 Years https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.06.003

Design Editor & Associate Podcast Producer · St. Olaf · Ashley Sarpong

In recent years, I have remained committed to the process of documenting my life through pieces of writing and videos after my older brother’s accident that nearly cost him his life. Before this, I was solely enamored with the thought of becoming a fashion designer, but suddenly, the future seemed uncertain due to my grapple with understanding how cruel life can be. Though, continuing to create art and consume it was still my biggest outlet; my artistic expression is what made healing possible. I had moved on from creating tangible art to using my words, whether that was writing news articles for my high school journalism class or dabbling in the creation of my own young adult novels and posting them online; I was speaking out. The skill had unintentionally prepared me for the latter years of my high school experience. As a black student at a predominantly white institution, I was faced daily with microaggressions and other forms of racism. The collective exhaustion that I and many other students felt is what prompted us to speak directly to the administration, which resulted in a movement to increase the education surrounding this race in classes. 

 No matter which way my life went, writing remained a hobby of mine that never seems to drift away, similarly to fashion, as I became obsessed with experimenting with my clothing choices. Self-expression is highly important to me and I kept that in mind as I ventured on to another form of visual art. Within the last three years, I have translated the plethora of emotions and ideas that run through my mind into a few short films. The media class I took this past semester challenged me to build upon my techniques and taught me skills such as the basics of sound design. My goal for the future is to work for a fashion magazine or company, specifically, a space where media is involved because I do enjoy that aspect. I want be around clothes all of the time, styling and showcasing outfits, while also answering analytical questions such as, “How can we let everyone know about this trend?” At St. Olaf College, I plan on majoring in Studio Art and minoring in Management. 

The importance of storytelling is simply to share because not everyone is fortunate enough to do so. Not everyone can write, or speak, or even be here right now, on this planet, to tell their story in their own words. Every story has a lesson within it, no matter how mundane; some individuals somewhere in the world will be able to resonate with it. I believe that storytelling has the power to change lives with its impact, spreading news of solidarity to those who had believed for a very long time that they were alone. To me, creativity is a driving force because its results are beautiful and so is the process leading up to it. I truly believe that anything is possible in a room full of creatives because the ideas thrown out are coming from a place of passion. With The Creative Process, I want the experience crafting with other creatives and the collaborative effort it takes to make something beautiful.

Young Writers and Artists Curator · Skidmore College · Carson Grisham

When I think about teachers who shaped the sort of student (and person) I am today, my mind jumps to Andrew Mack, my high-school math tutor. I met him as a freshman in high school. He had tutored my brother briefly. My brother was a natural mathematician, mastering formulas and solving equations in the blink of an eye. I think that Andrew expected me to take after him, and when I didn't, it was difficult for both of us. I distinctly remember a moment, early on in our knowing each other, when we were reviewing for a test. I felt overwhelmed and my mind just wouldn't think clearly or correctly. Tears welled in my eyes and Andrew's breaths were held tightly in his chest with frustration. He stood up briskly and exited the room. I was afraid that he'd given up on me with the subject. I started to cry, gathering my papers and textbook to leave the office. It wasn't the first time I'd experienced this sort of shame and Andrew certainly wouldn't have been the first math tutor to give up on me. Before I could leave, though, he returned, a small speaker and an origami set in his hands. He casually told me to sit down and asked my favorite music as he opened the kit and handed me a small sheet of paper with a small instructional pamphlet. Within a few moments, we were folding amateur origami swans and listening to John Mayer. This went on for about 15 minutes. After we were done, he talked me through his thoughts and my troubles:

"You are not a bad learner. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes practicing our weaknesses is draining. It's not my job to beat the life out of you so that you don't care about them. It's my job to help you feel strengthened and capable enough to face them. You feel better now, right? Perfect. Whenever you're ready, we can try again, this time with the music on."

We went on to complete my homework with astonishing fluidity. I didn't feel incompetent or ashamed or weak, I felt empowered and supported and competent. 

This was a pivotal experience for me as a student. I think I had always seen math as a subject that I could never conquer because I did not "naturally" draw the connections as quickly as the next person. Andrew Mack was a phenomenal teacher and role model. He used art and music - both subjects I cherish and value - to help me realize the importance of self-affirmation and care. I finished high school in three years rather than four and earned top marks in all of my classes, math included. It was far from easy, but Andrew Mack enabled me to realize that I am a hard-working and capable student in everything I do. My "natural" strengths fuel my dedication to conquer my weaknesses. 

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As a first-year student at Skidmore College, I have participated in two recent art-related projects through both a writing and dance class.  

After many weeks of studying both classical ballet and modern dance, I collaborated with four classmates to choreograph a dance routine to a song of our choice. We were instructed to include at least 24 counts of specifically instructed moves along with moves derived from creative liberty. This choreography was our final project within the class and we all received A's. The process of collaborating with others was incredibly valuable to me and the success of our collective effort felt even more gratifying than had it been only myself.

A primary project assigned within my writing class required me to complete a personal and artistic analysis of an art piece of my choice from the local museum. Initially, my sentiments toward the project were dull. However, upon my visit, my feelings changed.

Nancy Grossman is primarily known for her sculptures, but peculiarly enough, the piece I chose was a painting. It is titled Apollo The Healer. After some digging, I discovered that Grossman painted the piece right after suffering a major injury to her hand which crippled her ability to sculpt for many months. The piece I chose was sad, powerful, and inspiring all at once. I then spent hours dedicating myself to the completion of the project both academically and emotionally and received one of my best grades for the class.

Associate Podcast Producer & Interviewer · St. Olaf · Amiya Marshall

I’m Amiya Marshall, Associate Podcast Producer and Interviewer from St. Olaf College. I’m from Berkeley, CA. I believe storytelling gives life to the realities of others. It allows the readers to empathize with those who are having experiences similar to them and sympathize with those they cannot relate to at all. It presents new ideas and perspectives to the audience to be pondered and stimulate thought. Moving creatively presents a challenge for the creator. It tests the limits and boundaries of how one perceived their abilities or the way things are done and ultimately transforms society as a whole. As someone who has interacted with many people and loves to hear the stories of others.
Through The Creative Process, I am furthering my skills as a writer and interviewer. I am currently anchoring interviews with Siri Hustvedt and Nicole Fleetwood, two writers who have contributed so much to our understanding of visual culture, feminism, and social justice issues. It’s an opportunity to develop new skills and strengthen my existing ones. I’m looking forward to collaborating on interviews regarding industrial design amongst many other topics with The Creative Process. I have previously done a lot of work with philanthropy and fundraising for charitable causes.