In this blog, I want to focus on specific parts of my identity that I wanted to stay involved with during my study abroad experience. I pride myself on my creativity and passion for art. Primarily, I wanted to stay involved with this part of my identity during my study abroad experience in Sydney, Australia.  

This is from my favorite museum in Sydney, the Art Gallery of New South Wales in the Central Business District (CBD). I have visited this museum multiple times in my free time and it's easily accessible by public transport. The museum is lovely with plenty of different medians so it stays intriguing. My personal favorite is the mixed media and photography sections which this painting belongs to. 

My friends and I went to the Sydney Opera house and watched the musical Rent. I have always been someone who loves the performing arts as well as studio art so this was an awesome experience for me. Not only does the opera house offer amazing shows but so does the Capitol Theatre, which is near the CEA CAPA Sydney center! 

As an art major, creative endeavors have defined my upper education and most of my life. I did not want to lose this passion while studying abroad, so I set a standard for myself to keep up with these passions. Through my experience, it can be easy to lose track of parts of your identity like these, but maintaining your goals and routine has been a requisite part of my experience.  

Another reason I love Sydney is because of all the constantly changing street art. My favorite piece is one in Bondi Beach by Stormie Mills, a street artist from Perth. I have created the habit of going for walks in Bondi Beach because of all the insane street art right along the beach. Walking on this route would definitely be at the top of my list for students who study in Sydney in the future. 

This is also from the New South Wales Gallery, but it is a part of the fine arts section. While in Sydney, I have been able to open up my appreciation for art and explore my knowledge of it a little more. I have not been as well-versed in painting as I have been in other medians in the past, although the abundance of art museums in Sydney has helped me to open my horizons. Some other must-visit art galleries include the Wentworth Gallery and the White Rabbit Gallery which I show in the next photo! 

I decided to take mostly general education classes rather than art studios or art history classes during my time in Sydney, which gave me a lot less time in the studio. Fortunately, Sydney is the absolute best place for creatives, and I have had so many amazing experiences with art museums, galleries, street art, and performing arts. This photoset serves as a guide to explore Sydney through a creative lens and embrace local art, markets, and creatives.  

Also, through this blog, I aimed to show multiple different ways art can manifest itself into your life. Art does not necessarily only encapsulate painting and drawing; it can also be found in fashion, music, photography, etc. Luckily, Sydney offers opportunities to explore all of these kinds of art, plus even more that I never thought about originally.  

This photo is from the White Rabbit Gallery, a contemporary Chinese Art Museum, which is the first gallery I visited in Sydney. The collection itself is quite unique and entertaining to look at with friends or on your own. Also, I found that it’s a great social activity to do when trying to get to know students in the program better! 

Another great part of my experience in Sydney is how much local art I have discovered. These are some of my favorite sketches that I spotted while exploring Newtown, which is about a 15-minute walk from the University of Sydney campus. Newtown has some great spots to look at or buy local art, but some other good places are The Rocks Market and the Glebe Markets. 

Even if you are not interested in art in the slightest, I hope I can serve as an example that during a busy and sometimes overwhelming semester, you can still make time for the things that bring you comfort and enjoyment. 

Another way that I like to give my creativity energy is through fashion, especially thrift and secondhand shopping. Not only is this a great way to expand and experiment with your style, but it is a much more sustainable option than opting for fast-fashion options. Some of my favorite (and affordable) thrift stores are U-Turn in Surry Hills, Vinnies in Newtown, and Australian Red Cross in Newtown. 

This is another photo I was really drawn to when I attended Sculptures by the Sea. Additionally, this is not the only opportunity to discover 3D art/Street Art collections. Other places you can explore these medians are ARTPark in Potts Point and the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (which is close to the Art Gallery of NSW so both can be accomplished in a day!).

Lastly, and most importantly to me, it is possible to make time for creating your own art. Even though I do not have direct access to a studio space, I have made time to create my own art, like photography and bookmaking. My favorite thing to do in my free time is go to the local art supply store and get something I am drawn to. Even if I do not have a specific idea, going to Newtown Art Supplies always gives me inspiration and it has become a normal part of my routine.