Whether you’re looking to explore a new language, dive into philosophical discussions or just get your hands a little dirty (literally), here are four unique elective inspirations that will bring something exciting to your schedule.
Browsing: Art
For many people, tattoos are more than just permanent ink on skin — they’re visual manifestations of memory, identity and growth. Whether inspired by grief, faith, heritage or spontaneity, Baylor students, alumni and staff share the stories behind their body art and the meanings beneath the surface.
It is not a good precedent to appropriate work from other creators, even if you think more art will be created through AI. Intellectual property is protected in every field and service; however, for some reason, AI large language models have been able to use intellectual property for their own benefit, because it hasn’t been properly regulated yet. Many argue that ChatGPT isn’t “creating” anything; it is simply plagiarizing it and calling it their own.
“This is what I tell them — AI is not gonna take your job, alright? First and foremost,” Rivero said. “But the designers that are embracing AI, using AI and educating themselves in this new technology will take their jobs. Why? Because AI makes everything faster. It makes the things that we as designers don’t want to do.”
The weekend before spring break in Waco is looking pretty packed! This smorgasbord includes a little bit of music, a play here and there and the first weekend at the new location of the Waco Downtown Farmers Market.
Baylor department of art and art history hosted “Concept is King! The Design Summit 2025” Wednesday morning for students, faculty and the public. The event included three keynote speakers with varying backgrounds in design or technology who spoke about artificial intelligence usage in their work.
While most 13-year-olds are just starting to develop their sense of self, Waco artist Will Suarez was experimenting with the inner workings of his creativity and learning how to graffiti. Now, years later, he is a multi-talented artist working with notable companies like Sendero Provisions Co. and Creative Waco.
“I think being at Baylor, especially with this Christian mission, is an honor itself,” Hornik said. “But to also receive [this] recognition really solidifies my thoughts that this was the place I should be –– and that God wanted me to be –– for my career.”
Carnes makes the argument that there are powerful women all throughout history, and said that if people “reimagine the theological terrain through attunement,” a person begins to see how women were and are fundamental to the theological world.
Of the many clubs Baylor has to offer, Aikijujutsu Club is the only one of its kind. This modern Japanese, comprehensive martial art focuses on blending an opponent’s energy and redirecting it with fluid, graceful movements, turning conflict into harmony.
“I think it really is an important part of the creative ecosystem of Waco because not only are you meeting folks that are interested in film, you are meeting folks that are musicians, they’re actors,” Hunter said.
Some of the most beautiful parts of life can be found in film, literature, art or any other creative endeavor. Writing off an entire hobby because they’re “film bro interests” or any other pretentious label does more harm than good. You’re isolating yourself from an entirely new world to explore, all out of fear of standing out too much.
On Dec. 10 at the Martin Museum of Art, a new exhibition titled “400 Degreez: The Act of Making Nothing Out of Something” will open featuring artist Vitus Shell. The exhibition will include work from his “Gold Everything” series and will also serve as a guided tour for CAE credit.
With a little ingenuity and some dedication, it’s easy to transform your dorm or apartment into a festive space without spending much. Grab a cup of hot cocoa, turn on your favorite holiday playlist and start decking the halls.
Although Scott said she enjoys printmaking, she had the idea to use a vast array of artistic elements, such as lithographs, screen and relief prints, etches and more in her showcase.
“A lot of times they use what’s called the blood quantum rule, so it dictates whatever percentage you are of Native American,” Canas said. “There’s also the tragedy of a lot of tribes nowadays; after the next generation, they will not be considered Native anymore. The whole philosophy and the identity behind it is dictated by the U.S. government, but currently, there is a big push between us to kind of build the identity for ourselves.”
The festival, hosted by Cultural Arts of Waco, runs from Friday to Sunday and includes a WordFest, ScienceFest, ArtsFest and a film showcase. Many of the events will take place around and inside the Waco Convention Center at various times that are clarified on their website.
Eventually, Baesa transformed her love of art into an online store called “Designs With Jamie,” where she sells various products such as stickers, cards, notepads, apparel and more. Every product is personally designed by Baesa, and she has collections like “Taylor Swift Eras” and “Asian Love.”
Since its commencement last fall, the Austin Avenue Art Fair has cultivated community and enriched culture through showcasing artists and musicians. This year, the community will come together from Nov. 1-3 to celebrate and admire the talents of local artists.
“Greatness is subjective to some degree,” Kendrick said. “But to me, it’s the effectiveness of what they create. So if Steven Spielberg is trying to create a film that’s going to move you emotionally in a certain way or get you to feel or think about certain things, and he does that effectively, there’s a kind of greatness and that’s hard to do.”
Infinite possibilities encapsulate Downs’s entire mentality — not only with linework, but with the way he approaches the stories behind his pieces and meaning in his art as continues pushing his boundaries, starting with the subjects in his art.
“I’m trying to just educate people on some of the cultural traditions of the ancient world,” he said. “I think people really find some commonalities and they can identify a lot with these cultures.”
“I think everybody has overwhelming, stressful lives that they lead; [they] get bogged down, but coming out here and doing something different, getting to meet these animals — it’s something totally satisfying,” Sabre said.
The space, formerly an axe house, is a complete manifestation of Corkill’s vision. From the beginning, Corkill knew he wanted a place he could call home to multiple types of art, from theater to music to ASL; he has now accomplished that in less than two months.
Although she graduated as a painting major, Olsen said she actually started off as a pre-med major and then switched to a math major before she circled back to her artistic abilities. She said the dissociation and isolation she experienced during COVID-19 in her freshman year paired with the influence of an art class she was taking at the time really allowed her to see she was meant to create.
Whether you’re an upcoming freshman with no prior experience with CAE credits or a rising senior frantically attempting to fulfill the requirements before graduation, there is no shortage of opportunities from all across the board to either get a headstart or cap off your CAE journey before walking the stage!
Over the past five to 10 years, I have witnessed a phenomenon: anime, the treasure I used to hold so dear to me, is beginning to spread nationwide. I have a fear that once it becomes mainstream in America, the quality of anime will decrease due to us forcing our societal norms onto the shows.
If you’ve driven through any populated area of Waco, you’ve probably seen Cade Kegerreis’ murals. From Union Hall and the Dr Pepper Museum to the Texas Sports Hall Of Fame, his work has earned him the title of “Waco muralist.”
For Baylor alumni Ashley and Alpha Newberry, entrepreneurial journeys have been a familiar pursuit. In October 2023, Ashley went rug tufting with her friends in Austin and was instantly hit with a wave of inspiration and a new business idea for what will soon be Fuzz Lab Waco.
The Martin Museum of Art recently introduced a new exhibit, In Pursuit of Light: Women in Photography, to reflect on women’s role in the art form. Allison Chew, director of the Martin Museum of Art, said that the exhibit focuses on how female artists relate to the concept of light — and that it was created in part as a nod to the solar eclipse taking place in April.