ISP Art&Soul

ISP Art&Soul is a monthly affinity space for international students and allies to explore a variety of creative outlets. Through visual art, storytelling, music, movement, or multimedia projects, ISP Art&Soul provides a safe and inclusive space to discover, share, and connect. Each session focuses on a different medium, such as painting, pottery, creative writing, crafting, drumming, or other, and encourages participants to create, reflect, and collaborate. Guided by student facilitators, local artists, thinkers, and change-makers. RSVP to the upcoming Art&Soul session!

MARCH 24 Tuesday | 12 - 1 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
"'The Thing From The Future' is an award-winning imagination game and tool for envisioning alternative tomorrows...The object of the game is to come up with the most entertaining and thought-provoking descriptions of hypothetical objects from different near-, medium- and long-term futures. It is designed not only for fun, but also for supporting strategic conversation. Organizations around the world, from the United Nations Development Program to IDEO, use the game to explore future possibilities relevant to their missions." (CMU news) Participants get a chance to win "The Thing from the Future" card game co-created by our Guest Designer, Futurist and Change-Maker, Stuart Candy.

FEBRUARY 4 Wednesday | 12 - 1 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Don't miss this energizing and stress-relieving interactive djembe drumming session. Whether you're navigating the challenges of being away from home, tackling academic pressures, or just seeking a fun way to unwind and build community, this event is for you! No experience required! This hands-on session will have you tapping, drumming, and grooving in no time! Participants get a chance to win their own djembe drum! Guest artist, Grammy-winning percussionist Danny Petersen.

JANUARY 15 Thursday | 12 - 1 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Explore narrative and reflective nonfiction using guided prompts and low-pressure writing exercises. No experience necessary! This is an introductory session for anyone who wants to express themselves more creatively. All participants will receive a journal to take home! Special guest artist, Timothy Gomez, Director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at California School of the Arts.

DECEMBER 17 Wednesday | 12 - 2 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Letting your intuition guide you, discover how layering images, colors, and textures can help unlock fresh perspectives, find innovative solutions, and spark inspiration. Create a meaningful collage that reflects your emotions and ideas. Special Guest Lecturer: Scarlit Bloome, Associate Professor, ArtCenter College of Design.

NOVEMBER 14 Friday | 12 - 1 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Hollywood actor, author, and teacher – Kari Coleman – shares quick and easy tools to put your best face forward and feel confident in virtual and in-person meetings. Connecting in meetings is a fundamental part of our individual and business success. Every time you are in a virtual meeting, you are telling a story on camera--exactly what movies and television shows do, so let's find out what filmmakers and actors use to influence their audiences! Guest artist, Kari Coleman, currently teaches Caltech course PVA 42 Improvisation for Scientists. Her screen credits include Seinfeld, The Good Doctor, and The Amazing Spider-Man movies. Three lucky participants will receive a copy of Kari Coleman's book, Through the Screen.

OCTOBER 15 Wednesday | 12 - 1 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Join us for a colorful, no-pressure painting session, inspired by Caltech's Beckman Auditorium, sky, and mountain view! Whether you're picking up a brush for the first time or you're a seasoned artist, this event is all about fun, creativity, and zero judgment. Just bring your enthusiasm and get ready to explore your artistic side. We'll provide the supplies, you bring the good vibes! Let's make something beautiful together! Guest artist, Jieyu (PhD student, Neurobiology).

Crafternoon
JULY 8 Tuesday | 12 - 2 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Express your creativity by decorating small vases with paints, collage materials, and your own unique flair! Take home a handmade souvenir. No experience needed – just bring your imagination!

Games + Pizza + Popsicles
AUGUST 20 Wednesday | 5:30 - 7:00 PM | Catalina Central Rec Room
Board games, video games, pizza, and popsicles! Whether you're into strategy, party games, or just want to chill and meet new people, there's something for everyone! Bring a friend or come solo. Let's make the most of these last summer nights.

Spring Picnic
APRIL 16 Wednesday | 12:00 - 1:00 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Picnic with ISP to celebrate the arrival of spring and welcome new ISP staff member, Tong An! This indoor picnic features delicious fried chicken, vegan hot dogs, corn on the cob, and apple pie! Come to connect, unwind, and kick off the spring season.

Breakfast with President Rosenbaum
MAY 13 Tuesday | 8:30 - 9:30 AM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
ISP is serving up delicious made-to-order "frutas" - fresh fruit with chamoy sauce and tajin. Plus, Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum will share remarks on the importance of international students at Caltech, because you are our VIP – Very Important People! At ISP, we recognize the impact that immigration uncertainty has had on our campus community and beyond. This special breakfast event celebrates how special YOU are!

Collage Expression: Exploring Emotions & Creative Problem-Solving Through Visual Art
JANUARY 24 Friday | 4:30 – 6:30 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Discover how layering images, colors, and textures can help unlock fresh perspectives, find innovative solutions, and spark inspiration. Create a meaningful collage that reflects your emotions and ideas. Special Guest Lecturer: Scarlit Bloome, Associate Professor, ArtCenter College of Design.

Drumming for Connection: Interactive Djembe
FEBRUARY 19 Wednesday | 12 - 1 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Grammy-winning artist Danny Petersen leads this energizing and stress-relieving interactive drumming session. Whether you're navigating the challenges of being away from home, tackling academic pressures, or just seeking a fun way to unwind and build community, this event is for you! No musical experience required! This hands-on session will have you tapping, drumming, and grooving in no time!

Unlock the Power of Communication: Theater Workshop for Non-Actors
MARCH 7 Friday | 4:30 – 6:30 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Brian Brophy, Director of Caltech Theater Arts (TACIT), guides us through basic performative elements to improve communication, physical presence, vocal expressiveness and confidence. With a special focus on scientists and engineers, we will use storytelling techniques to connect with your audience. Just bring your curiosity and discover the power within you!

ISP Team Impact Award Celebration
DECEMBER 5 | 1 – 3 PM | CSS Lobby
ISP received the great honor of the 2024 Team Impact Award, given by Caltech Human Resources who received numerous nominations from students and alumni. We were absolutely thrilled to receive this award, because we know it comes from you – the people whom we (Daniel and Laura) have served for more than 14 years together at Caltech. This celebration includes yummy treats and special gifts for all international students who stop by the party on this day. We thank you for your support of the work we do, but most importantly, we thank you for your friendship and for the positivity you bring to our lives both personally and professionally.

Post-Election Breakfast
NOVEMBER 6 | 8:45 – 10:00 AM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
At ISP, we vote for you! We will be ready to listen to your questions and concerns around U.S. elections. Whatever the results of the election, let's come together to connect, talk, eat, and honor you – the incredible international student community at Caltech. Serving pumpkin pancakes and more!

Pumpkin Decorating
OCTOBER 23 | 12 – 1 PM | CSS 2nd Floor Common Area
Get in the Halloween spirit by painting and decorating pumpkins. Pumpkins and supplies provided, and you get to take your creations home!