Reflection Prompt #1: WHAT?
Explain your proposed project and its importance?
My capstone will center around my position as the Art Liaison for University Honors with the MSC Visual Arts Committee (MSC VAC). I will be an art curator, making ideally three exhibits this school year in the first-floor lobby of Henderson Hall. I will be working under the advisor for the MSC VAC and seeking some advice from the experienced committee members when it comes to responsibilities like negotiating loans or seeking out artists. I will be responsible for curation, which in my research and meetings so far, will include acquiring art, negotiating loans, finding artists, designing exhibit themes and narratives, knowing my audience, and doing surveys of Honors students to measure interest. I will organize meetings, receptions, workshops, in-exhibit activities, artist visits, and attending events and meetings regarding the Visual Arts Committee in order to sponsor their goals for the year as well.
I find this project important because it is for the enjoyment and service of others and has the potential to expand the horizons of my fellow Honors students’ interests and self-identities.
What issues will you address in the development of your project?
I find that we as students, but also as people, can slowly limit ourselves with labels—and that is an issue I hope to combat with this capstone. We can limit ourselves as just readers, or just STEM students, or just working people. We can be readers and Stem students and workers and artists. I want to focus on art that both appeals to academic minds and art that would draw such individuals further out of their comfort zones in an interdisciplinary, creative way.
What interests you about your capstone project?
I am interested in art and in gaining new skills and understanding. I also enjoy sharing my interests with others, and visual organization/aesthetics. Through this position, I get to collaborate with the MSC VAC and they are a group of knowledgeable and insightful people. Working with them and learning from them has also been interesting.
What skills or abilities do you want to hone in the development of your project?
I will use my academic experience as both an Honors student and an Art student to best curate exhibits to expand the horizons of other Honors students, as well as interest them and bring them joy. I feel that my time spent in Honors classes has suited me to both critically think about what art to show and promote, as well as what art would be appreciated by my fellow Honors students. I will use the connections I have made in my Honors classes to get to know my audience and their interests. I took an Art/Communications class as an Honors class that spiked my interest in art theory, curation, and art history—though I had long been an artist and appreciative of art. This class gave me more articulate visions for my personal art, and offered me the background to better appreciate and understand art.
·How does this project connect to your core values?
A core value of mine is the value of being an amateur.
The word amateur comes from the Latin word ‘amatore,’ which means ‘to love many things.’ I am new to official art curation, but I also want to invite my peers to be amateur art appreciators and artists. Following this notion means constantly learning and doing new things, and doing so for the joy of learning. I do this without the fear of failure because having tried a new thing at all means success. And what is joy if one cannot share it with others?
· What are three words that come to mind as you create your project?
Expand. Invite. Create.
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How did you choose your capstone topic?
I was approached by Dr. Kotinek, President of LAUNCH, who noticed my interest in art and aesthetics. He asked me if I would be interested in interviewing for the Art Liaison position and added that the position could easily be my capstone. I interviewed for the position and was selected earlier in September. Originally I planned on expanding my departmental capstone (I will still be doing my departmental capstone, starting this spring).
How did you determine the approach or theories guiding your project?
The position already had some structure and guidelines to begin with, though it is relatively new and has insofar only existed during COVID-wrought semesters, so some of it is still up to the discretion of myself and my advisors. I cultivated the theory guiding my capstone and the exhibits I will put on through my own experience as a STEM student and artist, as well as my observations of my peers and reflections on identity.
How are you growing through the process of developing your capstone?
I am growing by communicating with and learning from new people--people who I would never have met if not for this capstone. I feel also that I am getting more comfortable with making executive creative decisions and troubleshooting in this new position. It can be difficult doing something new. I often have the urge to go to someone and have them check my work, tell me that what I am doing is good or fine and has their approval. I am working on getting approval only when needed, and otherwise making moves on my own instead of relying on other people when this is my job, I need to take full ownership and do it.
What are your plans for collaboration on your project?
I collaborate with the MSC VAC and other artists to create these exhibits. I seek advice from the MSC VAC, materials and connections from the MSC VAC advisor, and I am reaching out to professors and University advisors/staff to acquire art pieces.
What has excited you throughout this process?
The uniqueness of this entire experience is what I most marvel at. I never thought I would be an art curator in college--I expected to take science classes and be in a few organizations. I am most excited at this unique piece of my life, at how new this is to me, and at the opportunities to be in the world of art. I am an artist, personally and professionally, but I have never been so a part of the art world as much as I am now. I am excited to be so surrounded by art and artists, creativity and vision, and new perspectives.
What has discouraged you throughout this process?
I feel generally spread thin in life. So although I set and enforce my own deadlines in this capstone I somehow feel like I am never being productive enough. This may be residual ADHD shame and guilt further magnified by ‘grind’ culture, but nevertheless I still feel it.
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How are you incorporating your previous learning experiences into this project?
I’m incorporating what I’ve learned in my career as an artist, in the reflective honors art class I took, and in what I have learned form my advisor and the MSC VAC.
How will this project prepare you for future endeavors?
The attention to detail and collaborative aspects of this are going to be applicable in nearly any profession or academic sphere. The focus on aesthetics and intricacies of form and appearance definitely carry over into dentistry--the field I am pursuing. I’m also enjoying the executive exercise as I make decisions and learn to trust myself more with this responsibility, this is an important quality in being a leader, but as I hope to own my own practice and lead a team on brigades.
What are some connections between your project and current events?
I observe the need for people to put themselves in boxes or cling to labels online in an attempt to be known and understood all to make friends and/or fit in. I understand this instinct but I’m working to help people realize they don’t need to be one “type” of person or interested in only one aesthetic. They can be many things and limited by none.
How has your project transformed your thinking this semester?
I have had to research and read up on how to make exhibit write ups! It’s much more complicated than I had expected (if one wants to do them well and professionally). Little details like, trying to make the sentence end and the end of a line, or keep to certain word choices all to hold people attention and pique their interest appropriately—which is something I can hold to in future endeavors.
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Reflection 4: WHAT?
What is the biggest obstacle you have encountered this far in your project?
Time really. The time between being about to get things done because you have to wait for things out of your control. I like a checked box and task well done.
What has gone well with your project?
I have liked the outcomes! The first exhibit went well and the second one is finished, too! I think they have been cohesive and interesting and beautiful! I am proud of this capstone.
What kind of roles have you taken on during the creation of your project?
I have done promo, write ups, been in contact with artists, I have been planning the themes, organizing and picking the pieces, I (with the help of my counselor) hang the pieces and their captions. Everything I have access to I do.
How has this project reinforced your goals?
My goal of encouraging diverse interests and studies has been sewn into every exhibit theme. Every conversation I have had concerning the exhibits have proven fruitful toward that goal. I also saw favorable responses in the survey I sent out regarding ‘being a great many things.’
What would you do differently if given the opportunity to start over?
I would be more involved with the MSC VAC if I could, perhaps create my schedule in a way that would allow for me to do more with them. As my schedule sits now, I am unable to be as active as I would like.
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How has your confidence grown as you develop expertise throughout your project?
I feel more confident talking to artists and in my ideas. I’m not speaking softly with half an apology on my lips because I’m expecting to mess up little things. I’m moving.
What has caused you to feel a sense of accomplishment during your process?
Seeing the finished product and talking to happy artists has been enjoyable. Documenting the progress and getting to tell loved ones what I am doing is also fun.
What has caused you to feel a sense of concern during your process?
I am concerned about having an opening. I am not much of a host. I do not know what is to happen at an opening. How much money should I spend on food? Is that appropriate? Do I give a speech? Do I invite the artists to speak? What if no one comes? What if people are disappointed in the space itself and that shows poorly on me somehow?
Why does this project matter to you?
This project matters because I love art and love academia and love serving A&M in this way. It is an incredible opportunity in so many ways. I never thought I would do something like this, never thought it would be in the cards, but here I am and I don’t know if I will ever get to work in art in this sort of capacity ever again. This is a valuable and rare opportunity to me.
How has your awareness of a particular issue grown throughout the process?
I am not sure. My central issue is identities and how picking one can exclude you from others—so choose to be many things. The survey I did last semester was pleasant, many chose the latter from among the Honors students it was sent to. Perhaps at the opening I could have some good conversations and see how this notion sits in other people’s minds.
What have you enjoyed most about your project?
I have enjoyed just being in the world of art and the uniqueness of this position.
What would you change about your process?
Nothing yet. Except perhaps wish the ceiling tiles would be fixed so I can have the opening but that’s out of my control.
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· How has your understanding of project topic evolved?
I started out with a more underdeveloped view of what I would be doing, which is understandable. I have now done old art, student photography, and my last exhibit will be interactive art. When I started I thought I would be doing a lot of classically beautiful/elegant/older pieces but I have done a good range now (as much as only 3 exhibits will allow)
· How will this experience help you in the future?
I think this has made me more well-rounded. This has also exercised my creativity and executive functions in a new way. I may have also made some valuable connections that will come to fruition later on life’s clouded path.
· How will you celebrate yourself upon completing and presenting your project?
I will celebrate by graduating ha! I have a couple family members and friends who will come to the reception next week on Wednesday and that will be nice. But this is a good question. Perhaps it is apt to do something to celebrate this. This is just such a busy time of year I have only focused on doing what is needed.
· What is next in the pursuit of your long-term goals?
I am headed to dental school in the fall! I am trying to secure housing right now and I have a tentative roommate. I am headed to a new city and a new school full of new people who will become very important to me. The immensity of it all is really starting to weigh on me and I am excited to see what all unfolds.
· Knowing what you now know, what advice would you give yourself a year ago?
Move with confidence. Mary is kind. Find something to do with those fish prints.
· What advice would you give a student beginning their capstone project?
It’s understandable to be hesitant but the best results come from entering head-first and strong. Ask your advisor a lot of questions. And WRITE DOWN THE REFLECTION DUE DATES IN A BRIGHTER INK IN YOUR CLUTTERED PLANNER.
· How did you leave your mark?
I think I will have touched those artists who got their photographs exhibited! I know that is a great feeling.
I also hope that my capstone has gotten the academically-minded students who wander into Henderson or any Honors students who came by because of the HSC emails to ponder what they are capable of. I hope the exhibits encouraged more people to make art and see themselves as unlimited individuals, capable of a great many things.