All around campus this fall, students and their teachers have been spotted sketching and painting across the lawns, practicing photography in the golden, early morning light, and even rehearsing chords on their guitars in Adirondack chairs beneath the white birches. The arts add life not just to those who practice them but to all of us who are lucky to experience them on a daily basis. Here, we recap a few of our favorite moments in the arts this fall.
Galletly Gallery’s fall offerings
To date, we’ve had three exhibits since the opening of the school year. September offered the works of Matt Brown’s Water and Wood—who is not unfamiliar to the New Hampton community. He has joined art classes and Arts Day to lead workshops in printing techniques. Brown makes color woodblock prints using the traditional Japanese hanga method. “This is printing from multiple carved wood blocks using rice paste, dry pigments, sumi ink, and water with brushes and a hand-held baren as a press.” The Hanga method is the same technique used to make the prints of Hokusais, Hiroshige, and others, the ukiyo-e prints of Edo Japan.
As Family Weekend approached, and with several weeks of classes behind us, Galletly Gallery transformed into a showcase of student artwork. A reception held in their honor saw families and classmates supporting the Husky artists in a grand display of multiple mediums, textures, and original ideas.
With the rise of November, local artist (and Husky community member) Tamara Mann took the spotlight in her exhibit of “tamama’s kitchen.” Mann chose this title because “it combines my love of sharing home-cooked food on handmade vessels and my belief that my studio is akin to my kitchen. In my studio, I lovingly make art to share with others, as in my kitchen, I lovingly make food to share with others.” Students and faculty alike came out to support Mann in a reception hosted in her honor earlier this month, learning more about her techniques and experiencing the depth of detail in her works. Mann’s exhibit will remain on display for visitors through Tuesday, December 13.
Striking the right chords
When it comes to the Contemporary Performance Lab [CPL] at New Hampton School, one can expect a few things. First, the set lists from last year are never repeated in the new year. Second, they’re going to bring the energy to every performance. And lastly, even their rehearsals in the art rooms are often worth a glimpse. This year, the class now offers two sections—one for the more experienced musicians and another for the up-and-comers. We can’t always tell the difference because both groups sound amazing!
Between their busy schedules, CPL even recorded a music video. They took to the studio to professional record the vocals and instruments before setting the stage up Saturday morning of Family Weekend and performing it for the camera. If you missed it, please be sure to check out their performance of “Valerie”, originally performed by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse.
Our community also enjoyed visiting artists this week following community dinner on Tuesday, November 15. WIth thanks to the Timothy D. Romagna Fund for Music, the School is able to celebrate the arts even further with the community by bringing in various musicians throughout the year. Spider Horse is a world-renowned and award-winning beatbox duo comprised of Chris Celiz and Gene Shinozaki. Their high-energy set was electric and the audience participation moments had Huskies engaged and excited for more. We’re thrilled they were able to travel from New York and share their talents with us!
Eurydice Debuts on the McEvoy Stage
This modern adaptation of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice by one of America’s most influential contemporary playwrights, Sarah Ruhl, is an atmospheric play combining off-kilter, playful comedy with a wistful yearning for meaning and human connection. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists, and breathtaking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.
The show was Matt Cahoon’s first production at New Hampton since being appointed the School’s Director of Theatre in September. “This is absolutely one of my favorite plays,” Cahoon said, “I came to New Hampton looking to build a Theatre Program that would challenge our students working on and off stage. Eurydice is a play that has absolutely challenged our students.”
Congratulations to the cast and crew for pulling off the intricate and emotionally packed Eurydice. What’s next for our theatre production schedule? Stay tuned for the winter play, set to wow audiences February 17-18, 2023.
Looking Ahead
In addition to a full-slate of classes in the months ahead, the New Hampton School community looks forward to several key moments in the arts. On top of the exhibits ahead and additional visiting artists, by mid-January, we’ll celebrate student artists and their achievements in the annual Scholastic Art Awards. The winter musical arrives in February; several Project Week explorations focus on the arts in March; April and May bring excitement leading up to the Spring Music Showcase, Arts Day, and the spring play. But first, we’ll join the Contemporary Performance Lab crew in December for their Winter Music Showcase on December 6—a favorite of the festive season as the community takes a night to pause and enjoy before exams and the winter holiday break. Be sure to join the occasion on NHS Live, streaming wherever you are, beginning at 6:30 pm. Have a wonderful break, Huskies!
