Painting in a Performing Arts Center

Each August, just prior to the beginning of school, I host a theme-related retreat for the Saint David's leadership team. Usually, we travel off campus to participate in a shared experience that is connected to the school's mission. We have hiked, cooked, raced, meditated, sailed, flown.

This year was different.

Instead of leaving 89th Street, Cabinet members spent Monday morning in the space where our amazing new performing arts center will stand. Our theme this year is "Omnium Nobis--All that we can be." I wanted the team to explore that theme with paint.

After participating in an art lesson by Art Studio New York, each team member was charged with creating a painting and envisioning the school experience and "all that we can be" as we begin a year-long countdown to the opening of our new facilities. They were inspired by iconic images of Saint David's representing our four foundational pillars, one of which is, aptly, the arts.

I wanted the leadership team to spend a chunk of time "in the belly of the beast," surrounded by its bones, enjoying the opportunity to get acquainted with the "new school" and to experience the construction going on literally around them. All buildings have character, a feel, getting to "know" a new building as it begins to take shape is an important part of accepting the change it will inevitably bring.

This undoubtedly will be an exciting, action packed school-year at 12 East 89th Street. Monday provided Cabinet members the opportunity to inhabit soon-to-be new space, and to quietly reflect on what is and what is to be.

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