New York City in Autumn

I spent a charmed weekend at the Surdna Convocation in New York City. Meeting the other fellows was inspirational....trips to Haiti, Ghana, Brazil, China to teach, learn, explore. The other fellows represented schools crossing the United States--Los Angeles, New Orleans, Washington D.C., Mississippi, Alabama... A strong dedication to students and the arts was a common thread. Sometimes it feels as if I'm in a world that has forgotten beauty. Spending a weekend with dancers, visual artists, writers, actors, and musicians--all of whom believe that education in the arts isn't an extracurricular activity but a necessity gave me new ideas and strengthened my own committment to nurturing young artists. How lucky I am to have had an opportunity to broaden my own artistic vision. Although I am not a city person, finding my inspiration in open space, mountains and seascapes, I was happy to be in the company of fellow artists. New York was bustling with life and light and the full moon and cloudless sky welcomed me home.