Play Art Paralysis Away: Overcoming Creative Fear Through Low-Stakes Exploration
Date
2-18-2025
Faculty Mentor
Bryce Lafferty, Art & Design
Files
Submission Type
Conference Proceeding
Location
9:00-9:10 am | Houston Cole Library, 11th Floor
Description
Please note: no video is available for this presentation.
The fear of failure can be one of the greatest obstacles to creativity, especially in academic settings where students feel pressured to produce perfect work. “Play Art Paralysis Away” is a presentation showcasing last semester’s initiatives from the Art and Design Club, which aimed to help students break through creative blocks by engaging in low-stakes artistic exercises. These activities encouraged students to explore new techniques, mediums, and creative approaches without the weight of expectations or rigid academic evaluation. By shifting the focus from perfection to process, the club cultivated a space where experimentation was not only accepted but celebrated.
College courses in art and design can often feel intimidating, leading to creative paralysis, where students hesitate to start projects due to fear of judgment or failure. The Art and Design Club sought to counteract this by fostering a peer-supported community that reframes failure as an essential part of artistic growth. Through short, engaging exercises—such as timed drawings, collaborative works, and unconventional material challenges—students learned to prioritize the joy of creation over self-doubt. These playful interventions not only helped students develop confidence in their artistic instincts but also strengthened their ability to take risks in their coursework and beyond.
This presentation will explore how structured play can be an effective tool for overcoming creative fear. It will highlight student work produced during these sessions, share participant reflections, and discuss the broader impact of these activities on artistic development and community building. By embracing the philosophy that failure is progress, “Play Art Paralysis Away” demonstrates how informal, low-pressure creative experiences can help students reclaim their artistic voice and build resilience in the face of challenges.
Keywords
student research, art, graphic design
Rights
This content is the property of Jacksonville State University and is intended for non-commercial use. Video and images may be copied for personal use, research, teaching or any "fair use" as defined by copyright law. Users are asked to acknowledge Jacksonville State University. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@jsu.edu.
Disciplines
Art and Design
Recommended Citation
O'Neal, Laney, "Play Art Paralysis Away: Overcoming Creative Fear Through Low-Stakes Exploration" (2025). JSU Student Symposium 2025. 33.
https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2025/33
