I often wonder what happens in that space between our thoughts and what our hands create. For me, the swirling mix of experiences, emotions, and curiosity—along with the resulting creative output—makes the process interesting. It’s even enjoyable when it’s still half-baked.

Through my own research in these areas, I’ve come across an idea that resonates with me: you don’t have to consider yourself an artist to be creative, you just need to be curious. I believe curiosity and design are inextricably linked. Whether in our professional work or personal lives, creativity is always present.

In the office, we engaged in a variety of creative activities over time. We designed thematic costumes for the IIDA Fashion Show, collaborated on artist portraits for Black History Month, shared homemade dishes, and competed in pi(e) contests. We connected with Artists for Humanity and freed our minds with the ARC Draws series. Each of these experiences helped us find deeper connections with one another and our communities. Wanting to expand on this idea of creativity and connection, I looked for more opportunities to physically engage with each other’s work to touch it. Feel it. Talk about it. Learn from it. Be inspired by it.

On February 27, our office hosted ARC Creates, a gallery event. We transformed our space into a vibrant garden of color, texture, paper, and pixels. Reflecting on the work we shared, there was something to learn and appreciate in each person’s contribution. The creativity on display was broad and far-reaching:

• Exquisitely crafted jewelry alongside a sketchbook documenting the design process.
• The patience required for weaving and sewing, with patterns that appeared effortless.
• A story of the environment translated into a wearable blanket.
• A carefully designed wedding invitation, where the selection of paper and typography made the care behind it tangible.
• An underutilized conference room fearlessly repurposed as a hangar for remote-controlled airplanes.
• Extraordinary photographs of ordinary places, reminding us to keep our eyes open to the world around us.
• The magic of firing clay and the excitement of its transformation.
• The balance of control and fluidity in mixing watercolor paints.
• A vision for a theatrical set design, brought to life through preliminary sketches and concept photos.

The gallery event revealed a wealth of hidden talents and passions within our team, right under our noses.

Our participation and immersion in arts, culture, and creativity—at a personal level—strengthen our connection to both our work and our communities. I left the event feeling inspired to keep building these connections and to create even more opportunities to simply create.