Blog

I once saw a sign that read: "The EARTH without ART is just EH." As we have been dealing with challenging weather this summer, I find myself thinking often of this slogan. A memory of this week could be of a torrential downpour or could be of music echoing between dewy trees, a photograph of an emerging mushroom, or a poem describing nature's vastness.

Usdan summers move quickly. In just three weeks, students are already showcasing inspiring artwork, performing in full length Theater productions and at Festival, and publishing a weekly Comic-Art zine. Next week, these student exhibitions culminate during our biggest fundraiser of the year.

One of my favorite parts about this summer in particular is our community-wide agreement to spend our summer days away from smart phones and computers — immersed in creativity, nature, and friendship. I often think that the whole world could be like Usdan, all we have to do is make different choices, together.

The a cappella group Black to Gold opened our summer season with a Festival celebrating the possibilities of individual and collective VOICES. In their rendition of a song from the Broadway musical "Hamilton," they sang the lyrics, "Look around, look around / at how lucky we are to be alive right now." Hearing those words captured exactly what it feels like to be at Usdan right now.

Monday begins my 12th summer season as Usdan’s Executive Director. By now, I have come to anticipate this flood of joy and creativity that students bring to campus each summer, always affirming the third line of our mission: “When we welcome the diverse group of passionate young artists here each summer the heart of Usdan comes alive.”