In 2020 Eugene D. Tapahe (BFA ’92), a Diné (Navajo) web designer turned fine art photographer, was feeling distressed by the pandemic and an aunt’s death from the virus. Then one night he dreamt he was in Yellowstone National Park, sitting in tall grass and peacefully watching bison, when jingle-dress dancers came to the grass and danced, bringing him healing and hope. This dream inspired Tapahe to create Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project, which encourages peace and resilience. See more at magazine.byu.edu and tapahephotography.com.

Recent graduate Jenna Hervey shared a glimpse of her BYU experience with us and the gratitude she felt as she graduated from the Department of Design as graphic design major:

Jessica Ashby is an Acting major and a dancer who has much enthusiasm for her art. She adds that she loves acting because it helps her understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Professor Brubaker and her graduate students found that Twitter users were able to build their own supportive community during the early stages of the pandemic

BYU Dance alum Kaley Jensen was on cloud nine with the many accomplishments and successes coming her way, until one day it all came to a crashing halt

The College of Fine Arts and Communications congratulates members from faculty for their rank and status advancements

As social media and other online networking sites have grown in usage, so too has trolling – an internet practice in which users intentionally seek to draw others into pointless and, at times, uncivil conversations. New BYU research recently published in the journal of Social Media and Society sheds light on the motives and personality characteristics of internet trolls. Through an online survey completed by over 400 Reddit users, the study found that individuals with dark triad personality traits (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) combined with schadenfreude – a German word meaning that one derives pleasure from another’s misfortune – were more likely to demonstrate trolling behaviors. “People who exhibit those traits known as the dark triad are more likely to demonstrate trolling behaviors if they derive enjoyment from passively observing others suffer,” said Dr. Pamela Brubaker, BYU public relations professor and co-author of the study. “They engage in trolling at the expense of others.” You can read the full article by Brenna Seeman here. Truths about trolls: the psychology of trolling on Reddit

Jared Kotter, a recent graduate who majored in advertising, shared this experience with us:

New BYU research recently published in the journal of Social Media + Society sheds light on the motives and personality characteristics of internet trolls.

"I started with music, hopped over to photography, and have now settled on film. My experiences here at BYU have definitely encouraged my creative outlets and strengthen my resolve to work in entertainment/the arts," said Sarah Reynolds (she/her). The media arts major regards her expression through media arts as an indispensable part of her life.

Students and mentors from BYU’s AdLab won awards from the international ANDYS and Clios and national ADDYs

Ballerina Alex Clark went from a small studio to portraying Myrtha in BYU Theatre Ballet’s performance of ballet classic “Giselle”