RISE’s latest community effort — Creative Cafe — mixed all of the ingredients of delicious coffee from JV Espresso, fresh food from Chipotle and supplies for coloring rocks March 24. RISE, which stands for Resilience Informed Skills Education, has been working on campus to build community and foster a stronger sense of resilience among students.
The presentation began with a necessary message of the work RISE does — not to promote toxic positivity but to “embrace challenges,” said RISE program specialist Jackie Nat.
The short presentation from RISE transitioned into an introduction led by the event’s organizer, Dr. Khanh Bui, a Psychology professor of 27 years, who brought a special message of resilience through creative expression to the event on Saturday.
Transformed Through Art
Bui found a book titled “Your Brain On Art,” which explains how art is important for resilience, she said.
The book by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross further fueled her fire to work with RISE and make an event like Creative Cafe happen.
“I feel like I am most alive when I teach, and I love sharing what I have learned,” Bui said.
RISE initially intended for this workshop to be split into two events: one for faculty and staff and one for students.
“Why don’t we do one for both?” Bui asked, bringing the students and staff together to learn and paint together.
Bui navigated this two-hour-long workshop in an engaging manner, which allowed attendees to experience creative relief and learn to combat stress through social connections, enjoying music and painting rocks.
As the workshop began, the audience of 80+ attendees learned facts about stress and how art can combat it. Art cultivates well-being, and people attending art events such as a museum, a play or an opera report higher life satisfaction, according to “Your Brain On Art.”
Bui then introduced her student who performed some opera for the group. As soon as she opened her mouth to sing, the room fell silent, and the sounds of vibrato and skilled opera techniques took over the room.
“Whenever I hear Peyton sing, my soul soars,” Bui said.
Bui continued the workshop embracing music and she called on everyone to get up and let loose. She began to play the song “Y.M.C.A.” by Village People, causing everyone to dance for a few minutes and allowing a gentle moment to unwind through music.
“This RISE event was more calming and engaging than other RISE events I’ve attended,” sophomore Sydney Tejada said. “There were also peaceful-minded activities and how to calm yourself back down.”
After the active dance segment, Bui then transitioned to mindful breathing exercises.
“Breathe in calm. Breathe out stress,” Bui said to the audience.
After the moment to breathe, the workshop became a creative space for coloring rocks.
After over 20 minutes of mindful meditative coloring, the professor had people share a few words of reflection. Many students and staff painted rocks of relaxing landscapes, meaningful mantras, animals or intricate patterns. All artwork featured students tapping into their creative side.
The workshop was an excellent way to creatively unwind and recognize creative relief as a crucial ingredient for mental health, Bui said.
“The stress is definitely building up as we enter that last month, so taking the time to be able to sit and be creative with people is very helpful for me mentally — to process and relax a little bit,” senior Anne Towles said.
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Contact Ivan Vicente Manriquez via email: ivan.manriquez@pepperdine.edu
