LIGHTNING. That’s what landing your first professional job is like. Bright lights erupt. The night sky of your past is quickly illuminated with a whole new realm of possibilities.
Suddenly you know that all the study, sacrifice and hard work were worth it. Another life is waiting for you. Beyond school. Beyond your nest of family and friends. And possibly beyond expectation.
I remember. And that’s why it gives me such a thrill to see students from my alma mater The High School of Art and Design painting their original works on the walls of the new Andaz 5th Avenue. Robert, who is also an HSAD grad, agreed that it would be special — and possibly inspired — to include these talented young artists in our project at the center of Manhattan.
We envisioned the collaboration as a bridge from the demands of classroom assignments to professional responsibilities. Perhaps “extension” bridge is a better image, because this is not a one-time opportunity. We hope that every year or so HSAD artists will refresh the walls with new ideas and imagery and their personal impressions of New York City.
Since life in Manhattan — and humanity — is always in motion, we see every reason for the art on the walls of a great, new hotel to also evolve and regenerate. And this wonderful Community interaction and participation is one of the Andaz core principles.
But there is more going on here than visual art.
We hope the exposure to discerning eyes — well beyond Robert and me — will enable the young and gifted to assert themselves and move more quickly toward the fulfillment of their own creative dreams. (For the doubting young or naïve practitioners of the creative arts, know this: ALL THAT YOU WISH FOR CAN COME TRUE.)
In this way, the circle of life remains unbroken. One artist begets — or, more accurately, encourages — another. History does not merely repeat, it expands and deepens. It spirals toward a greater ideal and consciousness and realization of possibility.
Finally, it reminds us that youth and innovation always brighten the sky. And while the light may eventually fade, it is never entirely lost.
We bottle lightning when we emerge and fulfill our own destinies. We uncork the enlightenment when we find deserving souls who can and will carry the torch to the next generation of sentient beings.
Light up the sky, here and now. Know that you can. And that you will.
note: These are the first round of North Tower walls we painted, a second will happen late in July and the last sometime at the end of the summer. We will keep you posted! I will be putting up a little bio on each of the artists with their images, hope you love them as much as we do. If you would like to help these and future students, please donate to the Greeny Fund — Thank you.
The Art Students League, 215 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019
Attention: Irwin Greenberg Scholarship Fund
Checks should be made to:
The Art Students League with the “Irwin Greenberg Scholarship Fund” written in the memo
