William Ramirez

Hi friend,

It’s back to school in all the ways! The days are getting shorter and colder. Newly packed schedules include return to office for adults, and back into classroom for kids. What education offers is constantly changing and contested. And yet we still do school!

I’m amazed by the dedication of students to deepen their learning. Every year, I participate in portfolio review to meet with art and design folks perfecting their craft. Current undergrads and graduate students tell me that advanced degrees are still an impossible luxury. Not enough has changed – they still are navigating a system hostile to students of color and communities skeptical of art as a “real” job. And to be fair, a creative career is still a risky move. Some core advice has come out of conversing with my art school kids:

• The magic is in the edit: Pick the highlights of your work and ditch the rest. One standout idea, well executed, can take you far.
• There’s enough time: Our world is moving at an impossible pace, and we shouldn’t try to match the craziness. Every day is another chance to get it right.
• You know what you are doing: The students that I meet are developing strong technique, strong ideas, and strong emotion. That’s the perfect platform for growth.

Yours in autumn colors,
Tiffany

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Image Credit: “‘SPOT ON SCHOOLS’ EXHIBITION (curated by Paola Giaconia)” by We are Image is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Hi friend,

This has been the summer of eye-popping tickets and tours. That’s nice if you have the budget, but your local street corner offers more accessible fun. I found joy in the annual Fiesta Patronales de Holyoke, a celebration of civic pride. A street fair is one of the best uses of public space – it gives you a chance to see neighbors, reconnect with friends, and eat treats out of a styrofoam cup. What more could you want?

For me, student dancers are always a highlight. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Dance Moms, you know the drill. The A+ students who know all the choreography (as opposed to the A for effort students who look a little lost.) The crowd-pleasing soundtrack (in this case a super cut of Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz, and Willow Smith’s Whip My Hair.) There’s always the dance teacher marking steps in the corner. Festival vibes meet the rehearsal room and I am here for it.

There’s something compelling about arts kids working through their imperfect performance. Not to mention the excited parents in the cheering section, sending love no matter the quality or outcome. It’s the purest form of works-in-process. So check your local calendar. I’m sure there’s at least one festival, block party, or street fair coming up near you before summer ends!

Yours in these streets,
Tiffany

Hi friend,

The stars are aligning, and the art season is heating up! There’s always a special vibe as spring starts. This year feels extra good – the spring equinox, five-planet alignment, Passover, Easter, and Ramadan magic all rolled out over the past few weeks. Given all the valid reasons to be pessimistic, I’ll welcome any bright spots!

Spring brings all sorts of reasons to be out and about: openings, fundraisers, festivals, and art fairs. Top on my list is the exhibition no existe un mundo poshuracán: Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria. Curator Marcela Guerrero is strategically retelling the story of America with her additions to the Whitney’s Latinx offerings. There are two great opportunities to catch the exhibition before it closes:  a night of Puerto Rican arts and culture, presented with WNYC and Futuro Studios tomorrow April 20 (also livestreaming), and an all-free admission day on Sat, April 22.

Yours in blossoming,
Tiffany