On 21 May 2026, The International Undergraduate Programme (IUP) of the Faculty of Psychology at Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted a field trip for the Psychology of Art and Creativity course at SERAMBUTWIDI Studio, located in Piyungan, Yogyakarta. The activity was accompanied by the course lecturer, Satwika Rahapsari, S.Psi., M.A., Ph.D., and offered students a hands-on experience in art-making while providing a meaningful opportunity to explore the relationship between creativity, self-expression, and psychological well-being outside of the classroom setting.
The session began with a warm-up activity led by Widi S. Martodihardjo, the studio owner and facilitator. Students were asked to draw a series of lines, both horizontally and vertically, on paper. Mas Widi then analysed each student’s lines as a way of reflecting their personality and tendencies. Based on his observations, some students were encouraged to slow down and allow themselves to relax more in their daily lives, while others were encouraged to be more confident and bold in the way they approach things. This opening activity set an introspective and welcoming tone for the rest of the day, reminding students that art can serve as a window into one’s inner world.
Mas Widi was supported by a number of assistants throughout the workshop, who helped guide and accompany the students during the various stages of the activity. Students were then divided into four groups, each assigned a different theme to work with: scenery (pemandangan), objects (benda), and living things, among others. Each group was directed to a different area around the studio, allowing them to find their own space and source of inspiration. Some groups stayed close to the studio, while others made their way to spots with a broader view, including an area overlooking lush greenery and clusters of houses in the distance.
Once at their respective locations, students began by making rough sketches of what they could observe around them, using the scenery and surroundings as their reference. After completing their sketches in the field, students returned to their designated areas to begin painting on canvas. Each student was provided with a complete set of art materials and a blank canvas. The atmosphere throughout the painting session was calm and freeing, with the understanding that there is no right or wrong in art. Students were encouraged to paint freely and to trust their own expression without the pressure of producing a perfect result.
As a closing to the session, Mas Widi invited students who wished to come forward and share their paintings with the group, offering them a chance to explain their work and the experience behind it. He also highlighted several paintings that he found particularly striking, acknowledging the effort and expression put into each piece. To close the day, Mas Widi left students with an encouraging message: not to let the painting stop there. He urged everyone to carry the experience with them and to continue painting beyond the activity, treating art not as a one-time exercise but as an ongoing practice in their lives.
Overall, the field trip to SERAMBUTWIDI Studio provided students of the Psychology of Art and Creativity course with a meaningful and memorable learning experience. Through direct engagement with the creative process, students were able to observe firsthand how art-making can foster self-awareness, relaxation, and personal expression. The activity reinforced the idea that creativity is not reserved for those with formal artistic training, but is something accessible to everyone willing to pick up a brush and begin.
Writer: Thessalonica Faith Hill Joseph Kurnia