Sydney Parks is an interdisciplinary artist who works at the intersection of virtual and physical space. Holding a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Houston, her career spans exhibitions, teaching and public art. Currently an Assistant Professor of Practice at The University of Texas in Austin, she has previously taught as a Teaching Fellow in painting, drawing, and virtual reality art at the University of Houston. Sydney’s interest in community engagement led her to teach Prison Drawing to male inmates in the Huntsville Holliday Unit.
Tell us about the classes you’ll be teaching this year.
I will teach three classes this year including User Interfaces, Interaction Design I, and Media & Tech Foundations. The students learn various coding frameworks to create user interactions and interactive designs, while taking into consideration user experience and accessibility. It’s been fulfilling to watch students who have never written any code really enjoy the process and create magical experiences. And yes, they are magical!
What attracted you to the School of Design and Creative Technologies and The University of Texas at Austin?
As a native Texan who never quite fit into the Texas culture, I have always found Austin to be somewhat of a refuge. It’s a unique city that welcomes the oddballs, containing a university that is a leader in experimenting and researching new technologies and systems for creating.
How did your professional pathway lead to your focus?
My focus is at the intersection of art and technology. While attending a school in Ballyvaughan, Ireland I searched for master’s programs around the area who were using new technologies to create artwork. The Goldsmith’s Creative Coding program reached out to me, but as a young artist I couldn’t attend. Instead, I became an autodidactic creative coder. Using multiple resources, I learned how to make interactive artwork, create virtual reality worlds, collaborate with musicians and dancers, and build my art practice. I created the first-ever VR Art class at the University of Houston. I’m grateful to be in a place where I can share my skills with young creators and make their path slightly easier than mine was.
What’s something that students and colleagues should know about you?
I prefer to build co-creative environments where everyone in the room is learning from each other. Honesty and kindness are my classroom policy. I’d like my colleagues to know that I seek opportunities for interdisciplinary performances or projects where the students can collaborate and step out of their comfort zone.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not teaching/researching/working?
Skill stacking is a hobby of mine. I started practicing Flow Arts many years ago, where I dance with multiple hula hoops. I recently picked up the violin and am beginning to make sounds that don’t mimic dying kittens. Learning new creative software is always on the list of things to do. Mostly, I enjoy relaxing – taking a hike, laying in a hammock, the good things in life.