Barrett, The Honors College Thesis/Creative Project Collection

This creative is established in the field of business, with an emphasis on fashion, art, and<br/>the creation of a body-positive exhibit. Using qualitative research from experts on fashion<br/>curation, we seek to create, curate and pitch a fashion exhibit. Using the information we gather<br/>from experts from two different museums, we will create a new age exhibit that pushes the<br/>boundaries of fashion as art through our theme of body positivity.

Crazed Oasis strives to create a community-based, sustainable clothing brand that looks and feels great, while creating a community that is safe and welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds. We strive to educate all about the world to provide an understanding and appreciation for all individuals and cultures. The current climate of the world is a crazy one, and the clothing industry is highly unsustainable. Crazed Oasis is creating the solution by building a community to create new friendships and connections while focusing on the important topics of the world, such as sustainability, mental health, human rights, arts and passions, and more. Through our clothing products, we will educate and create a culture of understanding through art.

This thesis will encompass the chemical, social, cultural, and even religious significance and history of Henna. Henna is a natural paste made out of dried henna leaves which is then mixed with other ingredients such as lemon juice, tea, essential oils, and sugar. Depending on the region, everyone uses a different recipe and ratios due to the different climates. Henna has been used for celebrations such as weddings in Western Asia, the Middle East, and even Africa. Henna has also been used in religious celebrations for Muslims such as Eid. The practice of henna application has proven to be a uniting factor in multiple cultures, as women gather to get their henna done for celebrations and joyful occasions. Despite its cultural significance, henna was actually used medicinally in ancient times due to its cooling properties. People used to dye the soles of their feet, and hands during the summer in order to cool down their bodies. Slowly, henna became more of a beauty factor and women began to make designs with it to adorn themselves. Applying henna is a lengthy process. Henna must dry for about 30 minutes before one is able to continue with daily routine. Then the henna must be wrapped after being soaked in a lemon sugar solution. This must remain for 5+ hours in order to achieve the desired intensity of the stain. However, once the dry henna is taken off, no water must touch the premature stains for 24 hours since this is when the henna begins to oxidize and the color begins to darken. It takes 48 hours for the henna stain to fully mature. Due to this, chemical henna, otherwise known as “instant henna” has been created to make that dark mature stain in a matter of a few hours, sometime even minutes. There are two downsides: the first being that the stain does not last 1-2 weeks like the natural henna does, the second being it is a major health risk. Most of these prepackaged chemical henna cones contain additives that are used to dye hair. This dye is not meant to be used on skin, so many people have gotten chemical burns due to this. It can even lead to full-on allergic reactions resulting in hospital-stays. The use of chemical henna not only poses health risks, but it also diminishes the value of henna and what it stands for. This project will dive into the following questions: How does henna stain the skin? How has Henna impacted women throughout the world? What is the artistic significance of Henna? What aspects of Henna have allowed it to be integrated into cultures throughout the years? How can one avoid the use of chemical henna, and what kind of potential risks arise from this?

This business plan is centered around the creation of a digital marketplace that will promote small businesses and sustainable shopping habits throughout the community and beyond. Our business decisions will be guided by our vision which involves encouraging environmentally conscious shopping habits, supporting small artists, and raising money for charity without compromising quality. In addition to our focus on creating a social media-based digital marketplace, we aim to ultimately help local artists grow their businesses and further support the causes they care about.

For my senior thesis, I explored the topic of toxic masculinity in America, specifically on college campuses and cultivated through aspects of Greek Life. My exploration of the topic culminated in an art showcase that was intended to create a space for candid dialogue about the impact and effects of a persistent culture of toxic masculinity perpetuated through Greek Life. It is important to note that I do not believe that masculinity in and of itself is toxic; rather, often the ways in which it is conceptualized and enacted is harmful to men, women, and society as a whole. Thus, my goal is not to disparage men or masculinity, but rather to open a dialogue exploring how Greek Life reproduces a culture that pressures men to conform to a rigid and narrow conception of masculinity.

Video link: "The Last Fire Sprite." For my Thesis Project, I wrote, directed and produced a 25-minute long animatic for my series “The Last Fire Sprite.” This animatic is to be used as a pilot for the show to pitch it to studios. It includes an all-star crew of 14 voice actors, 2 artists, a vocalist, and a composer. While most of the work was completed by myself, the project as a whole would not be as quality without the hard work of this amazing crew. The pitch: A young Fire Sprite named Blaise awakens in the future to find her world completely changed. Magic is scarce and sold to the highest bidder. A twisted oligarchy holds the last living witch hostage in order to remain in power. Blaise bands together with Axel, a young street rat, in order to evade countless bounty hunters after the price on her head. Only together can they free the last witch and bring magic back into their world. Please enjoy “The Last Fire Sprite: Welcome to the Future Part 1”!