It has been months of becoming accustomed to a new kind of living as a community. Quarantine life has forced us to become vigilant, caring, and cautious—but also creative. We hope that the past Student Pick blogs have been a source of insight and inspiration, as well as a bank of resources when it comes to looking for something that will fill your time with arts and humanities content.
The Arts & Humanities Council intern team wanted to continue this process by providing readers this week with a special A&H Weekend Kit. Perhaps, in hopes of finding some weekend relaxation, you can peruse this list and discover it to be both entertaining and useful:
1. Bethany’ Habegger’s Pick: Rachel Maksy
As a big fan of history and art, I have been spending a lot of time watching YouTube videos about art and fashion. Specifically, Rachel Maksy, who makes wonderful videos each week about clothing, cosplaying, history, and just about anything you can think of. I have found a whole community online that is dedicated to sharing their passions with the world and supporting others and their creative journeys. Every week, I look forward to her videos on Fridays, as they always brighten my day! In one of her recent videos, she even recreated vintage ads. She put together costumes, did full hair and makeup, made props and sets, and edited everything herself to create beautiful artworks. I always feel so inspired after watching her videos. If you love history and art, her videos are the best way to make it through quarantine! Along with her work, there are many other artists who have inspired me during the quarantine. I will link to their profiles below as well.
Rachel Maksy Vintage Ad Recreation Video, as well as YouTube and Instagram Profiles.
YouTube Profiles of other artists: Bernadette Banner, Karolina Żebrowska, & Micarah Tewers
2. Anna Groover’s Pick: Coffitivity
I just discovered this website called Coffitivity that allows you to play ambient/background coffee shop noise on loop. (There’s even different atmospheres you can play!) Working on papers and assignments in the IMU or coffee shops around Bloomington *used* to be my jam, so I love how Coffitivity lets you recreate that experience safely at home.
3. Megan Kudla’s Pick: Daily Writing Prompts
If you find 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or maybe even a whole hour, to sit down and put pen to paper, you might find the daily practice to be therapeutic, as well as conducive to keeping your summer brain awake and engaged. But where to begin? As many of us are guilty of scrolling through endless social media feeds (me included!), one way to pull yourself away for a moment and write is to follow a daily writing prompt Instagram account. Here are two to check out: @daily_prompt and @dailythoughts2020. If you are more of a once-a-week type person, then take a peek at reedsyprompts. They share weekly prompts online!
Remember to keep your favorite pen and journal close by…