Creativity as a Calling

In a world where too many people struggle to meet their most basic needs, it’s an incredible honor to have the opportunity to make art. That was one of the messages shared by the three alumnae panelists who capped off a yearlong series of virtual conversations exploring the paths of women graduates of St. Paul’s School on Wednesday, May 11, with “Her Purpose: Artistic Creativity.” A cornerstone of the School’s observation of 50 years of coeducation, the series will culminate with an in-person event during Anniversary Weekend that will feature current and former women faculty members in discussion about their role shaping the student experience at SPS.

 

Speaking from the Crumpacker Art Gallery, and surrounded by the final art projects of a dozen Sixth Form girls in Advanced Studio classes, Dean of Studies Lori Bohan and Teacher of Fine Arts Becky Soderberg ’94 were joined over Zoom by composer and music professor Gusty Thomas ’82, former SPS Director of Dance Jen Howard ’92 and musician and producer Stephanie Quaye ’07. In a conversation that highlighted the range of their artistic disciplines, the panelists found differences but also plenty of common ground as they discussed topics that ranged from the creative process to the role SPS played in each artist’s development to the manner in which social media has changed the way audiences engage in the arts — and more.

 

Thomas described herself as “completely addicted to the arts” from early childhood and recalled the way she immersed herself in instrument and composition lessons, choir, orchestra, band and jazz band as a student at SPS. Howard began dancing at the age of 5 and came to SPS specifically for the opportunity to join the St. Paul’s School Ballet Corps (SPSBC). Quaye noted that while as a young child she would say she wanted to be an artist when she grew up, over time “that shifted to doctor, just because that felt like a more appropriate response.” St. Paul’s gave her the opportunity to explore her interest not only in music but also the visual arts. All three women reflected on the power of collaboration — in addition to creating art themselves, Thomas and Howard both work as educators, and Quaye described her role as a producer as one of helping other people tell their stories — and the absolute necessity of embracing practice, imperfection and the willingness to try something new.

 

To that end, Howard noted that she had in recent years started taking piano lessons. Describing the process as both amazing and frustrating, she explained that one of the great values of being a beginning piano student was that it had helped her understand the mindset of her own students. “It’s given me a different way to look at teaching dance,” she said.

 

Speaking as an alumna, an artist and an SPS teacher, Soderberg chimed in with a story about a big ceramics piece that had recently exploded in one of the School kilns. “I was talking to [my students] about it, and telling them if you don’t enjoy the making of it, what the point?” she said. “Because it could just be gone tomorrow. If you don’t enjoy the process, then why make it?”

As with previous “Her Purpose” events that focused on athletics, public service and environmental leadership, the evening ended with each panelist sharing a piece of advice for her SPS self. Thomas, who is widely recognized as a significant American composer and holds a University Professorship at the University of Chicago, said, “I’d say maybe just a few short things. Be kind, be true to yourself, follow your own star… Try to actively do something good for other people, and be honest and be true.”

 

Howard, who started the visiting artist program at the SPSBC and recently became managing director of the Denver-based dance nonprofit Celebrate the Beat, laughed as she described the “big duffel bag of insecurities” she had brought with her to SPS. If she had it to do again, she said, she wouldn’t let those insecurities create limiting beliefs about herself, and she’d push herself harder to test her boundaries.

 

And Quaye, who earned an undergraduate degree in economics and both her MBA and CPA license before embracing her passion for the arts, talked about the importance of being willing to reassess your goals. “Sometimes we can be too rigid about our plans,” she said. “It’s good for things to shift over time. You should reassess every so often and make sure that you like the world you’ve created for yourself.”