The Top 3 of 2021

Number 3: A Midshipman's Journal

The first highlight of the year was this passion project, "A Midshipman's Journal." Sending so many of these to families, grads, and mids has been such a privilege, and I've loved hearing how it has helped aid in conversation prompts as well as documenting a story.

The was a bit of a tangent that stemmed from the cathartic process of painting so many USNA moments. Throughout the thick of painting, I began to unpack my own versions of these USNA experiences, and realized how helpful it was.

We all know the Naval Academy journey has both bad and good days, as well as many detours, and it can be helpful to go back and reflect on them. This was my way of creating a place for that process, complete with paintings and prompts.

This project taught me how creative visions can grow legs, morph, and adapt. I'm learning to create space for that part of the process and to be open to the whims, because sometimes that is just what an idea needs to grow.



 

Number 2: An epic paint night with midshipmen

During the early days of the pandemic, I made painting kits, because a little creativity can work wonders on a bad day. That turned into SO much fun hosting virtual paint nights with grads, families, and mids throughout 2020. 

Last spring (2021), I got to collaborate with a few mids and MWF during a lockdown period, sent 200 kits to Bancroft Hall, and it was so freaking fun. You guys showed me how satisfying it can be to share my love of painting and I’m looking forward to the next versions of this in years to come!



 

Number 1: USNA Museum Exhibition!!!

Photograph by Jesikah Black

This was delayed quite some time thanks to the pandemic but we finally got it hanging in May of 2021, and it will run through December of 2022. Curating down the 20 pieces in this exhibition was not only the realization of a 13 year creative vision but also helped me see where it needs to go next.

Hearing your stories in response has been everything I hoped it would be, and I'm so grateful to each of you who has enabled this as possible.

(No, really! The investment of personal time, energy, and resources in sending a show like this is a direct result of the support you've shown over the years. I could not have done it without you!)

Can't visit Annapolis in person this year? You can see the show virtually here!