OVER DEZE AFLEVERING
Season 2 of Processing… continues to give us insight into how creative makers work through periods of intense political and personal uncertainty.
Today, we end this season's journey by discussing how chaos can be transformative to the creative process, and reviewing with our guests how the twists and turns of 2020 have changed them. This season features the stories of Hannah Eko (MFA in writing graduate), Craig Hayes (undergraduate student), Oronde Sharif (Department of Africana Studies faculty), Ivette Spradlin (Studio Arts faculty), and Tahirah Walker (former staff, Center for Teaching and Learning). Hosted by Shannon Fink (Center for Creativity Operations Manager).
In our season finale of Processing..., our guests take stock of how this year has affected their creativity, and how change can expose us to new ways of reimagining the creative process. Hannah discusses how the dramatic shifts of the year have helped her to carve out a space in which she can focus more on what she wants from her writing. Oronde describes how the chaos has created a new avenue of connection in which he can help others heal. Tahirah talks of how lessons learned over the course of the year have helped her reframe her creative process to be more freeing. Ivette walks us through how she has expanded her creative horizons and the joy of being a beginner again in a new craft. Craig talks about how his support systems and staying in tune with himself have been crucial in keeping him invested in his creative process.
“I think there's something very stress relieving about learning something new, as frustrating as it is. I really believe in that Zen idea of the beginner's mind where you have all the potential in the world as a beginner, and as a master it closes down. And I think it's good for me as a teacher, too. To know how my students feel, because I can forget!” -Ivette Spradlin
Processing... is a production of the Center for Creativity at the University of Pittsburgh. The team includes Jasmine Green, Mike Campbell, Nancy Kirkwood, Kit Ayars, Erik Schuckers, Chad Brown and Shannon Fink. For more information, visit us online at creative.pitt.edu. Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.
