trace, layer, play: Collective reflections on arts-based research experiences

This article presents reflections from a three-year journey (2020–23) of trace, layer, play (tlp), an arts-based research (ABR) collective. Formed out of the need for peer-to-peer interaction and a desire to share in-progress research through arts-based methods, tlp has become a community of graduate student members and alumni who share their in-progress research through exhibitions, workshops and conferences. In this article, eight of the current sixteen members reflect on their personal experiences in bridging theory with practice, intentional and unintentional play, and collaborative creation.