Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Crochet Fairy Batman, Sammantha Lopez-Guarin

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"The dark knight, the man, the legend, Batman only with a little bit of flare and a lot of style! Coming at you in all shades of pink and a tutu, he's here to help you."

What They Will See, Mahir Abrar

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"'What They Will See' was inspired by the idea of how history—and even potential outsiders—might remember humanity. Too often, we are defined by our wars, destruction, and conflict, while the quiet, beautiful moments of love, growth, and sacrifice go unnoticed. This poem contrasts those two realities, highlighting how easily the essence of human life is lost in the grand narrative of violence. The final lines serve as a reflection on our misplaced priorities, urging us to recognize what truly matters before it’s too late."

The Artists Is A Sadist, Brianna Calderon

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'The Artist Is A Sadist' explores the intersection of artistic creation, suffering, and control. As someone balancing a rigorous science curriculum, research demands, and external expectations, I grew frustrated when art was dismissed as a ‘break’ or an ‘easier’ pursuit. Cause in reality, creativity is difficult—creation is painful, even cruel, but it’s a necessary cruelty. This piece depicts a girl stabbing herself in the abdomen like a martyr while maintaining composure, ready for an audience that underestimates the discipline and depth of art. Through this work, I wanted to confront the uncomfortable truth of being a student torn …

A Few Words From Our Staff

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

No abstract provided.

Still I Lie Here, Rachel A. Taylor

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"This photo was captured in the forest of Providence, North Carolina, while spending time with nature. Staring into the water I felt a stillness; and peace rolled over me. Later on that same hike, I saw a sign that the trail I was standing on, was soon to be demolished. The forest would be turned into yet another roadway. That evening, I joined many other locals in a petition to stop the deforestation of Greenways in North Carolina.

I often think about that forest, and the peace I received that day. And even in the face of a …

Eyes, Sophia Dakkuri

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"Eyes as a topic has been interesting for Sophia for a long time. The expression, beauty, and uniqueness of eyes have always been an inspiration for Sophia.

Eyes are about the beginning of human connection. Fiber connects everything together. That's why Sophia picked fiber as a medium for this piece. When Sophia was making it she also thought of a past conversation in the media about whether AI could fill the role of an artist and whether it can create art for people. With this piece Sophia wanted to express that only humans can genuinely connect with each …

Star Girl, Roseline Jean-Pierre

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"The world is so vivid and bustling with art. I just hope to capture it all before my heart. I am just a photographer with a keen eye. I want to capture everything I see, art is all around me and it's hard not to notice so I flick a picture and hope that my work shows it."

Flight Of The Clipped Wings, Thaily Jeanty

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"'Flight of the Clipped Wings' delves into the emotional journey of struggling with mental health issues and the stigma that often surrounds them. The pressure to conform to societal norms is a constant struggle, especially when fear of discrimination is at play. The pet birds represent two contrasting aspects: Charlotte symbolizes freedom and hope, while Cassiel embodies isolation and loneliness. These birds act as foils to one another, reflecting the tension between societal expectations and personal non-conformity. The piece aims to raise awareness by immersing readers in this complex experience."

Painter Hands, Tyriana White

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"This photo was part of a photography project centering on the 'Art Student Experience.' As an art student, I found certain mediums could leave my workspace and hands messy. I wanted this photo to showcase the resulting messiness of painting."

Saccharine, Alessandra Alvarez Coke

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Author Statement

"This poem is about longing and yearning, specifically as a queer woman. In friendships between queer women, the lines between platonic and romantic partnership often get blurred and distorted. Specifically 'Saccharine' explores these complex feelings of guilt, loyalty, and love in an undefined relationship, where the affection is assumed to be unreciprocated."

Behind The Painting, Aries Calderon

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"'Behind The Painting,' is a representative piece on how messy how felt when it came to my junior year of my college year. I always had this idea that once college ended, it was only a straight-forward path from here, or so I grew up to believe if I continued to follow down this path my parents have paved for me. You would think being in this position of stability, it would be easy for anyone to just listen and do everything blindly as you are guided towards success, but it turned out to be the most hurtful …

Bare Bones, Jessica L. Rodriguez

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"The inspiration for this piece began in my Life Drawing course that I took in the fall 2023 semester. Our assignment was to draw an open composition of a skeletal figure in class to understand anatomy. When I completed the piece, it really spoke to me. The composition, posing, and the fact that it was just bones aligned with themes in some of my other works about loneliness. This piece also reflects giving everything you have, even your bones, yet still being lonely with no one and nothing around you."

Echoes Of Existence, Alivia Klipp

Digressions: Literary & Art Journal

Artist Statement

"For this piece, I wanted to explore what the eyes can see. Graphite and charcoal help to highlight lights and darks within the objects to reflect my own perspective of life."

The Mystery Of Narrative Structure: How Scooby-Doo Challenges Episodic Conventions, Evrie Joy Pruitt

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines how the Scooby-Doo franchise employs narrative complexity within an episodic formula, balancing accessibility with layered storytelling. Analyzing two pivotal iterations, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! (1969) and Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010), the research challenges the perception that episodic animation is inherently simplistic.

While the original series established a consistent mystery-of-the-week format, characterized by predictable structures and comedic relief, it also demonstrated narrative ingenuity through character dynamics and tonal balance. Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! navigated the industrial constraints of Saturday morning cartoons, designed for syndication and commercial viability, by embedding recurring character dynamics, atmospheric tension, and iterative mystery tropes …

Function Of Batik For Cross-Gender Instructor At Kinanthi Sekar Dance Center, Yogyakarta, Langen Bronto Sutrisno, Shafinar Ismail, Agus Sudarmawan, Fira Sartika Putri

Bahasa dan Seni: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Seni, dan Pengajarannya

The use of batik in dance teaching at the Kinanthi Sekar Dance Center in Yogyakarta by cross-gender instructors reflects unique and meaningful characteristics. Cross-gender expression in this context is not about failing to conform to traditional gender roles, but rather represents openness, flexibility, and a form of modern cultural embodiment. This study aims to explore and describe the functions of batik for cross-gender instructors at the Kinanthi Sekar Dance Center. Using a qualitative method within a cultural studies perspective, the research applies a focused single-case study approach. The results reveal that batik fulfills various roles, particularly in terms of self-expression, …

Post-Anthropocene Provocations: Human-Sized Scholars’ Rocks, Cronenbergian Flesh Caves And Zen Garden Design Cues For A Future Proof Re(Image)Ining, Brenton Rossow, Darren Tynan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research explores concertinaing past, present and future interventional creative and pedagogical practices to address the challenges of the Post-Anthropocene era. We argue that the Post-Anthropocene is marked by biotechnological entanglements, environmental violence and digital overstimulation. The discussions herein critique a hyperattentive achievement society characterised by a scattering of attention, a near-constant screen-mediated stream of digital material and tasks and the commodification of leisure time. Enlisting Byung-Chul Han’s concept of hyperattention and themes and motifs from David Cronenberg’s films, the authors propose “FUTURE PROOF re(image)ining” as a collaborative Cli-Fi narrative concept. The project reimagines objects from an initial art installation …

The Delicate Balance, Catherine Toal

Quill & Scope

No abstract provided.

Little Changes, Jessica Wolfe

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

This collage is made of hundreds of small pieces of paper cut from old magazines and junk mail. As I worked on it, I thought about how each tiny piece of paper alters the canvas in a nearly imperceptible way, but the shapes and colors could shift completely in the course of an hour. This concept of making small changes is something I think a lot about in my work as a psychiatric nurse as well. Even though it doesn’t always feel like it, we become wiser each day. By looking for these small opportunities to evolve, we can build …

Breath Of Life, Cynthia Borum, Colleen Dowd, Meg Underwood, Shauna Graham, Terri Schmidt, Linda Myers

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

We meet for friendship, laughter, and spending time together. Each person paints a 6 X 6 inch tile, some more competent than others. Each person comfortably shares their painting without judgment, and we are proud of what our bond produces. The output keeps us going with a refreshing breath of life. You see, we also work together every day in health care.

Halcyon: Creating New Authentic Connections With Nostalgic Marketing In Small Businesses, Claire Elise Stough

Masters Theses

In an over saturated market, there are many brands that fall into the trap of uniform and formulaic marketing strategies that fail to resonate deeply with consumers. This research explores how a brand can break away from these repetitive tactics by evoking a sense of nostalgia to create emotional connections that lead to long-term loyalty with their intended audience. The importance of this topic is found in addressing a gap in contemporary marketing. The challenge is fostering genuine consumer relationships in a world that is dominated by fleeting trends and consumer engagement that is surface level. Leveraging nostalgia, which is …

Mental Health Literacy In Middle School Classrooms: Be Resilient, Yolanda Michelle Travis

Masters Theses

When I first encountered the question, “Why is this important to me?” in our defense preparation assignment instructions, I felt overwhelmed. How could I answer such a loaded question? Here is my inspiration.

I have been clinically diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. My younger brother, who passed away in 2019, was the first person in California to die from a fentanyl overdose. He suffered from childhood trauma that severely impacted his mental health as an adult, and he was only 36 years old at the time of his death. Additionally, my mother struggles with panic attacks and depression, and my …

Recess: Utilizing Gamification To Encourage Lifelong Creativity In Emerging Adults, Julia Schneider

Masters Theses

While creative outlets are prioritized in childhood, adults in the United States are increasingly less likely to engage their creativity during leisure time, which ultimately impacts overall well-being. This project aims to explore: (1) What is creativity, and why is it beneficial? (2) What factors contribute to the decline of creative engagement? (3) How does engaging with creative outlets impact overall well-being? (4) How can play be used as a catalyst to foster creativity? Through a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses, this thesis examined and integrated existing research on creativity and play in order to effectively create a …

Curating Christmas: A Simplified Approach To Christmas Celebrations, Jillian L. Ramsey

Masters Theses

This thesis project titled Curating Christmas: A simplified approach to Christmas celebrations originated from a personal observation of rampant consumerism during the Christmas season, both in retail stores and through online haul videos. This project aims to redefine the holiday experience by shifting the focus from mass consumerism to a more intentional and meaningful celebration. Targeting elder Generation Z, particularly those with young children, the project emphasizes the curation of unique, handmade, thrifted, and sustainable items. Research for the project included a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses. The visual solution includes creating a cohesive brand identity, marketing materials …

Mindful Marcelo: The Process Of Writing And Illustrating A Culturally-Specific Children's Book For Early Psychoeducation, Liz Romero-Herrera

University Honors Theses

Socio-emotional learning (SEL) is imperative for young children to learn prosocial skills and how to identify and regulate their emotions. Most children begin to develop these skills in early childhood and depend on caregivers and teachers to model them. However, caregiver and teacher biases related to child gender and race can limit equitable access to high-quality SEL, placing male students of color at higher risk for maladaptive coping strategies. To address this gap, this thesis documents the creation of a culturally sensitive children's book focused on SEL concepts for young Latino boys. Throughout this thesis, I documented the process of …

Transmedialidad E Intertextualidad En El Caso De Five Nights At Freddy's Desde La Semiótica De La Cultura, Daira Pando Tamayo

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

El presente artículo busca establecer, notar y delimitar que la intertextualidad y la transmedialidad juegan un papel de gran importancia al momento de crear narrativas en los videojuegos en la contemporaneidad. Enfatizando la creciente complejidad (y por lo tanto remarcando la diferencia de estructuras narrativas convencionales) que existe en las narrativas de los videojuegos y necesidad de interacción y configuración no lineal dentro de las historias de los mismos.

La Representación Del Sistema Nocional De La Estructura Bélica En Videojuegos De Multiplataforma: Una Discusión Semiótica, Alfonso Rincón Vaquero, Edgar Ávila González

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

En este estudio de reflexión discutimos la manera en que los videojuegos de guerra multiplataforma potencialmente refuerzan estructuras de poder dominantes en la actualidad. Para ello, recurrimos a la semiótica (Eco, 1977) y, particularmente a la teoría de la segmentación de la cultura y producción de sentidos de González (2012), por medio de la cual contemplamos a los videojuegos como subespacios de la cultura que proporcionan visibilidades específicas sobre el mundo. Asimismo, nos apoyamos brevemente en la concepción del poder establecida por Michel Foucault (1978), pues llama la atención su concepción sobre las relaciones de poder como una red productiva …

Artistic Exploration Of Synesthesia, Lexi James

Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals

This thesis investigates synesthesia as both a neurological condition and a broader sensory perception shaped by culture, cognition, and creative practice. Although not a synesthete in the medical definition of the condition, I explore how sensory overlaps particularly between sound, sight, touch, taste, and smell can be simulated and explored through art. Through historical research, theoretical analysis, and personal experimentation, I examine synesthesia as a potential extension of universal perceptual pathways rather than an isolated anomaly. Drawing from semiotic theories by Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Sanders Peirce, the project considers how meaning is made through sensory signification and how …

Pod 20th Anniversary Publication 2025, Project Open Door

Publications + Documents + Videos

RISD Project Open Door (POD) is celebrating 20 years and its commitment to supporting access to art education.

In early June community members gathered at Woods-Gerry to view work by current POD students and alums in an exhibition that featured paintings, sculptures, photographs and other works.

Professor Emeritus Paul Sproll, founder of the program, spoke at the June event about POD’s inception in 2005. “This show reflects the strong community behind Project Open Door,” he said. “Thank you RISD, thank you students, thank you alums and thank you supporters. This work is important, and I hope it will continue for …

Garden Of Rust: Conversations With The "In-Between Space", Kristen M. Poore

University Honors Theses

Garden of Rust is a series of five oil paintings that explore the mental and emotional changes she calls the "In-Between Space," that occur in the artist’s mind as she undergoes a major life change. The artist uses traditional oil painting techniques on a variety of canvas sizes in order to record her emotions, which include anxiety, and grief. Her intent with this series is to highlight the "In-Between Space," and to start a conversation with others experiencing it. The artist finds that creating Garden of Rust has been beneficial for her own mental wellbeing to work on, because she …

The Idea Of Ethiopia: Heritage Tourism In The Land Of Origins, Hosaena T. Tilahun

Geography Undergraduate Senior Theses

Hosaena Tilahun's "The Idea of Ethiopia" explores how heritage tourism in Addis Ababa cultivates Ethiopian patriotism and exceptionalism. Through an in-depth, close reading of the National Museum of Ethiopia, Unity Park, and the Oromo Cultural Center, supplemented by observations at the Red Terror Memorial Museum and Dergue Prison, Tilahun examines how heritage sites shape the political memory of national resistance, revolution, and Black internationalist thought. Tilahun discovers omissions of Menelik II's role in the Red Sea Slave network, encountering museum and archival silences about the internal conquest of peoples peripheral to the northern Abyssinian empire. As these heritage site renovations …