Ba-doop! I received a notification; it’s a reply from one of my friends! The phone buzzed as I picked it up, lighting up the room as it vibrated like my own excitement. As I unlocked my phone, I saw their message; they are interested in doing the art trade with me! An art trade is an agreement that artists make to create artwork for each other. We finished deciding each of our requests, I picked up my drawing tablet, eager to start. What unites people is art, not only in the process of consuming it, but the creation of art as well. Collaboration, in turn, builds relationships among artists through the process of creating art. Many of my own friendships forged this way, I treasurer the connections I made through the process of art. For example, in my drawing II class, I was sitting next to strangers and a friend I knew beforehand. As weeks went by, we started exchanging a few conversations, which turned into talking the entire class period, and then finally we started meeting outside of class. Our conversations occurred while we were all working on our drawing projects, and in many, I consulted them about how my project was looking. As I did, they gave me advice on how to improve and what was looking off. I look back on those times with fondness and an appreciation for how chance allowed me to meet these friends. In addition, I look back on my ceramics I class, cherishing the serious conversations I had with another friend. She shared with me her struggles with her mental health and home life, always kind of trying to brush them off, always trying to dismiss the very real traumatic experiences she went through. We collaborated on a project, making cute duck-themed mugs, and it fostered conversations about her struggles. Summer: the perfect time to start thinking about college applications, and for me art school. I visited my grandmother in New York City, and I decided to tour some art schools. On one tour, I just so happened to be one of two people who showed up. There were an excessive number of tour guides—four to be exact—and all showed us around the comics and illustration building. The other attendee and I walked in silence as they guided us to the building, until I decided to speak up. We did the usual introducing ourselves—name, grade level, and where we came from—but as we went on, we exchanged contact information. As the tour ended, we said our goodbyes, and I flew back home to Vegas. It wasn’t really goodbye, however. We texted sometimes afterwards, mostly about art school and the dread that comes with being a rising senior. I like her art Instagram posts, and she liked mine. But, a few weeks after I returned home, I sent a text to her, inquiring about—maybe—perhaps—if you have the time—to do an art trade with me. Ba-doop! I received a notification on my phone, and it’s a reply from her. I buzzed in excitement like the phone and saw that she is interested in the art trade! As I reflect on my journey with art, I am grateful for the connections it has allowed me to make and the experiences it has provided. From art trades with friends to deep conversations in ceramics class, art has been a constant source of joy, inspiration, and connection in my life. I look forward to continuing this journey, knowing that wherever it takes me, I will always be brought together with others through the universal language of art.