On May 8, 2024, students, parents and faculty roamed various on-campus locations, as they enjoyed Fieldston’s annual Arts Night dinner.
Starting at 6 PM, the bottom floor of the Tate Library and the Art building quickly filled, as students, families and teachers admired the numerous mediums created. In the library’s entryway, “Dying to Get Out” by Amiri Moreno (Form VI) played in the background. Trailers and movies made by Film Majors and Film Production students played in the library’s classroom. Although some people sat down to appreciate and watch the films, the most popular spot, by far, was the very crowded entryway, where visual arts dazzled.
Across the quad and into the Dance and Theatre Lab (DTL), the fashion show dresses from the May 7, Fashion Show, were all on display. Beautifully laid out, the displays captured each outfit’s detail and intricacy. Some highlights: an index-card suit/corset made by Chloe Keenan (Form V), a puzzle piece (with over 2,000 pieces!) created by Caroline Madsen and History Teacher Karen Drohan’s iconic dress made entirely out of bright orange late passes.
Promptly at 7:15 PM, the lights started to dim, and the Arts Night Introduction video, created by Uma Couchman (Form V) and myself, played. In addition, throughout the night, introducing one of the six art majors: 2d Visual Arts, 3d Visual Arts, Film, Dance, Theatre and Music, short videos about the art were played and also all created by Couchman and I.
Interspersed throughout the presentation, a few Form VI representatives from their respective art majors spoke about the impact of their art on their time at Fieldston and beyond. Notably, many parts of their speeches focused on the faculty, whom they thanked for playing an important role in their art career and everyday life at Fieldston. Caroline Madsen (Form VI) spoke of the role that Scott Wolfson, Chair of the Visual Arts department, played in her career at Fieldston. “I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Mr. Wolfson. Your impact on my life as an artist, history student and overall person has been truly immeasurable. Your wisdom has been a constant inspiration, and while the thought of having to separate next year is tough, I know your advice is just an email, text or FaceTime away.”
“It was a very successful night,” said Jon Schneidman, music director for the Upper and Middle school as well as the faculty liaison for Arts Night. “I loved all of the different ways our programming impacted the lives of students here and how meaningful it is to them.”
In addition to speeches, there were also student performances and film trailers. First, the Jazz Improv IV class – including Form V students Jack Zirin-Hyman, Daniel Bean, Judah Goren, Nate Schmelkin, Ariana Sidman and Davis Williams, and Form VI students Zachary Sussman, Amiri Moreno and Kieran Eldredge – performed Sofrito by Mongo Santamaría. Zirin-Hyman, Schmelkin, Sidman and Sussman played impressive solos. At the end of the program, Rachel Youngwood (Form VI) sang a “Guys and Dolls” medley – an homage to this year’s school musical. Next, Uma Couchman, Addy Gorton, Alexa Nanes, Wyatt Trevor and I played our film trailers.
Next, Fieldston alum Melinda Beck (‘85), an illustrator, animator, and graphic designer, spoke beautifully about the impact and importance of art at Fieldston. Beck’s artwork has received numerous awards including two Emmy nominations and medals from the Society of Illustrators. She decided to format the speech in the form of a letter as if she had written one to her younger, 18-year-old graduating self. Beck mentioned former teachers who pushed her to pursue art after her time at Fieldston and achieve her many accomplishments.
Bittersweetly, two incredibly influential and special faculty members are retiring this year: Film teacher Larry Buskey and Theater and Dance teacher Robert O’Neil. Wolfson, the Chair of the Visual Arts Department, spoke of his long friendship with Buskey and the profound impacts Buskey has had on countless students. He noted how Buskey provides students with freedom and creative liberties while also giving constructive feedback and the space to learn and grow.
Clare Mottola, the Chair of the Theater and Dance Department, referred to O’Neil as “Dance Dad” and said that “Rob is a trailblazing educator, as he has led these thousands of students in their own understanding of how stories are told by the body through modern dance, allowing them to soak themselves in their own dance inventiveness rather than learn a clever dance routine.” His “dooshes” will be forever remembered and missed. Both faculty members spoke of Buskey and O’Neil’s impact on not only the students but also their overall impact on the entire art community at Fieldston for countless years.
Finally, when the last round of applause ended, Arts Night 2024 ended at a remarkable (and maybe record timing) at 8:58 PM. It truly spoke and emphasized the importance of arts at Fieldston for the many years to come. Until next year!
