Creative Works Curator & Artist Spotlight Editor · Fordham University · Sarah Hujber

I feel that the arts/creativity are so important because they allow anyone to express themselves. I was always a quiet person and reluctant to share my opinions and emotions until I discovered photography. Since picking up a camera I have experienced first hand how important art is as a tool for self-expression and how it can give a voice to those who feel like they do not have one. Now that I am studying art history I am able to see how other creatives experience this and how art allows us to understand other people/cultures. I feel that art breaks down language or cultural barriers and allows us to understand others more effectively. 

Through my collaboration with The Creative Process as a “Collaborating Curator” I am engaging with other artists at Fordham University and showcase how talented they are! Our art history and visual art majors are very small but I know so many talented people that have been making amazing work even while NYC was under quarantine. If there are opportunities to work with creatives outside of my university then I would be very interested in working with photographers or anyone interested in using art for social change. 

Recently I organized a print sale to raise money for Black Lives Matter. I sold some of my favorite photographs through Instagram and we raised over $100 to donate! I have also been using film photography to document BLM protests near my home in New Jersey because I wanted to show how even small communities like my own can make a difference in this movement. In the future, I hope to further develop this concept into a project based in NYC surrounding the protests and experiences of BIPOC at my university.

If I had one wish for the future it would be for everyone to act with more compassion and empathy towards one another. I think that the COVID-19 outbreak and the Black Lives Matter movement have shown the selfishness and lack of compassion some people possess and I hope that this will change! To move towards achieving this goal everyone needs to be open to educating themselves and listening to the stories of others. It will take a lot of effort and dedication but I am hopeful that one day we will unlearn the hate and selfishness we have been taught in the past. 

https://smadelynh.wixsite.com/mysite/portfilio

Creative Writing Podcaster & LGBTQ+ Voices Editor · Princeton University · Xander Guidry

There’s a theory that the classification “Homo narrans” is more apt for the human race than “Homo sapiens.” Humans are a narrative species — we understand the power of words, and we wield that power on a daily basis. Words have the power to create war or to broker peace. The human body is composed of words. The skyscrapers are composed of words. The cosmos is composed of words. Words are everywhere and anywhere. Words are eternal.

Words are our lifeforce.

Human storytelling is the personification of our creativity, and our stories are the most powerful entities that any human being can produce; our stories are alive in all

of us - there are ballads in our bones and epics in our ears, dramas in our hearts and sonnets in our souls. 

Collaborating with The Creative Process is a chance for me to uphold my core beliefs of and respect for creative storytelling, but to also replenish my own creativity by working alongside the creativity of others. I hope to use my talents to put good energy into our world, our society, and our universe.It’s more of a personal project than an "official" one, but I’m currently working on creating and designing the first draft of a book that I’ve always wanted to publish — it’s always been a sort of distant dream of mine, but it’s something that I’ve recently started to take more seriously and something I’ve really started to conceptualize outside of my head. 

I’ve always wanted to work with words. I have memories of hurricane-caused power outages from when I was really little, maybe five or six, and writing pages and pages of stories on scattered sheets of paper underneath a flashlight. Ever since, I’ve hoped that my career would dive into the world of editing and publishing. I’ve studied words my entire life — I find magic in tweaking them ever so slightly in order to find their full luminosity. For my future, I want to work as an editor for a publishing company or for another creative organization. For my future, I want to find the magic of words

If you had one wish for the future, what would it be and how do you think we could move towards achieving this goal?

Empathy. If I were to have one wish for the future, it would be that we all become even a little more empathetic  to those around us. Kindness is so much more important than a lot of people realize, and I think the most effective way to demonstrate this is to keep telling our stories. Now is not the time to whisper — empathy is born out of inspiration, and no inspiration can be sparked without the life-changing creative thinkers that it comes from. We must raise our voices to tell our stories, and we must raise them with kindness.

Marginalized Voices Curator · University of Washington · Shania John

I think one of the most important parts of the arts and creativity, in general, is the idea that it gives marginalized voices a platform to share their stories and experiences. Minority groups have always been oppressed by those with privilege, whether that be in the arts or any other area of study so I would really like to use this collaboration with The Creative Process to amplify those voices. The arts are a form of self-expression when words are not able to convey the true depth of a person’s feelings, observations, or trials. It is important to allow people a way to express themselves in any medium they find comfortable.

Going into my 3rd year of college in the fall, I will be continuing my degree in Communications as well as hopefully double majoring in Political Science or Law, Societies, and Justice, all of which will be online. As for creative projects, I would like to continue writing, whether that be personal journal entries or articles I can one day publish.  

Seeing how 2020 has been going so far, my one wish would be that it could soon be possible to meet with loved ones again, as well as meet new people through clubs and opportunities on campus. Being stuck at home has made me realize that I took the time spent with my friends and loved ones for granted and I really wish I could do that again soon. I guess the simplest way we could achieve this is to just follow the guidelines and social distance, but I think just being a part of something like The Creative Process will help me interact with new people and hear about others’ experiences during these uncertain times.

Arts Podcaster · Princeton University · Irene Ross

It is difficult to exaggerate the role of storytelling in my life as I have contemplated the career path I'd like to pursue. I have always been passionate about stories, from reading, artwork, or listening to podcasts in the car with my family. Storytelling is what allows us to grow as people, to learn from the past, to share in others' experiences, and enrich our daily lives through meaningful connections. In this way, storytelling is an act of care that is essential to human life. As an artist, I see art in particular as an incredible vehicle for both understanding personal identity and the individual in relation to broader society. This is something I began to explore in my senior art show, Canary Blues. Of course, storytelling transcends just one mode of representation. It can be felt through dance, song, written text, and notably, through oral histories. Its significance as a historic tradition is not lost on me and through collaborating with The Creative Process, I would love to bring my perspective as a storyteller (writer and artist) to shed light on important conversations and topics across industries around the world. Naturally, this would be a two-way street. I would be particularly excited to learn more, bring an open mind, to the important work done by this team. 

I am a recent graduate of Princeton University with a degree in African American Studies and Visual Arts. My senior thesis, "Black Lives Matter and the Rise of Hashtag Activism; Analyzing Twitter as a Tool of the Black Political Imagination," explored the dynamics and drawbacks of online activist work. My visual arts exhibition, Canary Blues, grappled with identity, loss, and healing through the lens of the black female experience. Now working as a Visual Culture and Communications Specialist for Dr. Ruha Benjamin's Ida B Wells JUST Data Lab, I'm unpacking the implications of imagery and language used to build narratives around race during the pandemic. I'm also developing an online art shop, Duende Art, which sells commissioned paintings and other customized artworks. As far as written projects, I am now writing an addendum to my thesis, Names In The Street, which discusses the recent Black Lives Matter protests, COVID-19, and the ways activism has evolved in the age of social distancing. Ultimately, I would like to go on to earn my Ph.D. and MFA but would like to spend some time working before then. 

This year has had its fair share of chaos and I'm sure I'd be hard-pressed to find someone unaffected by the series of events that have occurred. My wish is ideologically related to one of the artistic projects I have started, Duende Art. Duende is a Spanish word that brings me a tremendous amount of joy. It refers to the indescribable quality of a work that inspires passion and inspiration, allowing the viewer to establish a profound connection with said work. If I could have one wish for the future (excluding the obvious wishes for world stability, lessened global hardship, etc.), it would be that I keep the light of Duende alive in myself and find ways to help others cultivate it within their homes and communities as well. This doesn't have to be limited to art; in a world where social distancing can create feelings of isolation, finding the Duende in the everyday is what has kept me going. In this way, The Creative Process is well aligned with this goal. In highlighting creative work, archiving important conversations, and nurturing connections, this organization is creating space for the content that truly sustains us, especially in such turbulent times. 

Check out www.duendeartc.com, which features my more recent artworks. 

Creative Works & International Voices Curator · Barnard College · Breana Lee

As someone who grew up in the arts, I have come to recognize the importance of art and creativity in shaping my worldview. The arts have enabled me to better empathize with others and think beyond what is currently in front of me. Creativity lends a huge hand in critical thinking, which comes into play in any work industry and facet of life. Through collaborating with The Creative Process, I am gaining experience in curating, which I have been greatly interested in since working at the Hammer Museum during my first year of college. I also hope that this collaboration will strengthen my relationship with art and enable me to work with and learn from peers and professionals in the industry.  

The current situation has made me, as well as many others, reflect on the ways in which our society has been built to advantage and disadvantage various groups of people. While there are many things I hope to see in the future, I think one of my main wishes is that the current events with both the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased awareness of Black Lives Matter and related movements will not exist in isolation. This period has revealed many faults in our society and policies and I hope that the emotion, passion, and curiosity people are expressing now will result in tangible change that we can see in the near future. Making this a reality will not come from just wishing, but will only come from active efforts taken by individuals to unlearn misconceptions and prejudices and educate themselves on histories scarcely taught in schools, and it is encouraging to me to see more people realizing this and enacting change in the ways that they are able.

Last semester, I took a film photography class, which was my first formal experience with photography. Since being home, I have been working to strengthen my photography skills by documenting the changing relationships I have been observing between my family members and also between myself and my current environment. I hope to expand my practice by gaining experience in artistic projects that go beyond my previous practices, particularly working in curating a project. Since I will not be back on campus for the upcoming semester, I recently started planning a collective project I can work on remotely with local artists in Los Angeles during my time here. 
breanalee.com

Healing Through The Creative Process Curator & Podcaster · University of Minnesota · Magdalene McClun

I think of creation as a place of processing,  an archive of intimate experiences. It’s a form of communication that expresses the authentic self in its truest form. The arts are so important because they are one of few spaces where fluidity, lawlessness, and imagination is encouraged in a world built on rigidity. Through my collaboration with The Creative Process  I am learning, listening, and growing with and from other creatives while simultaneously working in community to create.  

Recently I have been working on a series of paintings made on pieces of unused drywall that have been sitting in my family’s garage.  Due to the pandemic, my art supplies have been limited to what I can make use of in my current environment. The size of the panels make painting a physical calming process as I make gestural strokes with the entirety of my body. In the past couple weeks I used one of the pieces of drywall to create a colorful Black Lives Matter mural that I placed along the streets in my neighborhood where many businesses have been burned, looted, and boarded up after the death of George Floyd. My main inspiration was to use art as a symbol for restoration, peace, and solidarity in times of uncertainty. 

Some future areas of exploration are illustration, claymation, and zine making. 

One wish I have is to find a community of deep thinkers, feelers, and creatives with a passion for change. Therefore, I think working at The Creative Process  with other creatives is a step in the right direction while also learning from people of all different backgrounds. 

UNESCO World Heritage Sites Curator & Educational Liaisons · Barnard College · Khrystyna Tsunyak

Whatever its medium, art should communicate something raw and personally honest, even if the driving intention is just momentary. Art cannot transcend if it isn’t honest, and the most evocative art comes from the most honest place accessible to everyone, the waters of archetypes and the subconscious.

I love working with whatever environment I find myself in, natural or otherwise, and enjoy photography that documents liminal spaces. I am most consistently inspired by the work of Paraska Plytka-Horytsvit and Tarkovsky’s films. By joining The Creative Process, I hope to reconnect with art and creative minds in practice.

So far, I have lived a busy behind-the-scenes life of research assisting, and archival and admin work. I was lucky to rediscover my passion for photography through an elective class at Columbia, as a psych/sociology and Eastern European regional studies student. Anytime I’m able to contribute or effectively interact with the art world, the environment is my most accommodating liaison: I researched dormant languages for environmental artist Betty Beaumont at the Art Research Collaboration studio, and more recently made some of my best shoots in the rather unlikely outdoor storage space of a giant supermarket. 

Even with the Book of College done and dusted, I still cannot speak very boldly about my future plans. They tend to jokingly disappear once you name them. You get the image of recklessly pulling a tablecloth from underneath a set table: that’s what’s going on with the world right now. The highlight of my education was writing a thesis exploring the social ecology of Carpathian Poland, Romania, and Ukraine within the framework of uneven interstate socioeconomic development and state jurisdictions. I hope to expand my research in the future. 

Regarding my wishes for the future, I’d like to be empowered to create wherever I go without having to feel like it’s a privilege. Participating in curation projects with The Creative Process is a start!

You can view some of my darkroom prints at the Columbia Visual Arts Online Exhibition here: https://www.springexhibition2020.arts.columbia.edu/photo/photo1sabater

Arts Podcaster · Tulane University · Elana Klein

I have always appreciated storytelling in all forms. From the handful of literature and creative writing courses I have taken throughout high school and college, to the (admittedly, far too many) hours of standup comedy I have watched while in quarantine, storytelling is an art that I have the utmost respect for. The art of storytelling is unique in that it can be adapted to showcase virtually anyone’s strengths. Storytelling exists in so many creative fields; filmmakers, photographers, visual artists, writers, journalists, comedians, and poets – to name a few – are all storytellers. Learning to tell stories in a way that engages your listeners is an important skill. Storytelling is how humans connect with, relate to, and learn from one another. As someone who enjoys writing and reading opinion-based pieces, storytelling is an important part of my life.

Through collaborating with The Creative Process, I am becoming acquainted with creative people (both students and interviewees) and I hope to gain production skills. Although I am unsure of which professional field I will end up in, I believe that interviewing guests and producing podcast episodes will be beneficial for someone like me, who is interested in writing, storytelling, and media production. 

As a resident of New York City – the world’s epicenter of COVID-19 – I was unable to work a formal job this summer. Nevertheless, I was determined to pick up a new hobby to keep myself busy for the months I was barely able to leave my home. As I sat through hours upon hours of daily Zoom lectures, I began embroidering on old linen fabric that had been stored away in the depths of my closet. I eventually monetized this hobby, creating and selling original embroidered patches that I attached to tank tops and tee shirts. As of now, I’ve sold almost 90 items from my online store that I run through social media. I don’t consider myself to be an embroidery expert or a marketing genius (nor am I well versed in the ins and outs of the fashion design industry), but through this personal project, I realized that I take pride in creating and distributing original work of any sort – whether it be a piece of writing or products from my online store.

This semester, I have an exciting project ahead of me. A friend and I are founding a print humor magazine at Tulane. Although humor writing is far different from sewing patches onto clothing, both of these projects stem from my desire to produce and distribute original work that provokes positive reactions from recipients. My fellow co-founder and I have already come up with a plethora of ideas for the magazine –we've created a running list of jokes; discussed the magazine's format; and have made plans to recruit writers. We have plans to include a satirical advice column, quizzes and flowcharts, and satirical “The Onion”-style articles centered around campus life. Currently, we are working with a professor to map out our plans for the magazine’s founding semester.

Regarding how the arts and the general public can work towards leaving the world a better place, aside from my more immediate wishes (regarding a COVID-19 treatment and a socially just society), I have broader hopes for the future as well.

In the future, I hope that high-quality education becomes accessible to all and that the United States becomes full of creative critical thinkers. Right now, so many American students are left to fend for themselves without adequate educational resources. I firmly believe that having a well-educated population that values learning would solve many of society’s most pressing issues. I hope the next generation grows up in a world in which students are encouraged to develop intellectual curiosity and acquire the skills necessary to become creative and self-motivated individuals. 

Of course, this issue is a matter of societal values and public policy. But I hope that my generation – one that has been exposed to society’s various ills from a young age – will collectively develop an understanding of the importance of education that is not entirely test-based. Instead, we need a system that forces students to step out of their comfort zones, allows them to focus on what they love, and provides them with mentors.

Some examples of my journalism:

https://tulane.therival.online/content/2019/2/14/when-bearcat-is-your-bruff https://tulane.therival.online/content/whydoesnttulanehaveaprotestculture