School of the Arts: Creativity and camaraderie converge in the North Woods
Tapping ‘the deepest wells’ of creativity
During her advanced fiction-writing class at School of the Arts, Chris DeSmet encourages her students — with ages ranging from the 20s to the 70s — to dive right in and share their ideas.
Photo: Steve Apps
At 8 a.m. Monday, the first day of the 43rd annual School of the Arts in Rhinelander, Wis., we meet at breakfast in the lunchroom of James Williams Junior High School, chatting about where we are from and why we have come here.
For some, gaining photography skills promises a new career. For others, a chance to write poetry or fiction is a step in fulfilling a dream. Drawing or painting has beckoned still more.
All told, a community of 300 students, faculty and staff are setting off on a quest for knowledge and creative expression. In addition to more than 50 seminars, the week offers midday forums with speakers, performances and panel discussions, a juried art show, a theatrical performance and a student showcase.
On Monday, a dozen students, ranging in age from their 20s to their 70s, gather in Chris DeSmet’s class for the “skinny” on writing a novel. Under her cheerful encouragement, fears of criticism evaporate and students share ideas for mysteries, children’s books and historical fiction.
“The challenge is immense,” says Mandi Isaacson of Oshkosh after her first day in two other creative-writing classes. “But the way it’s handled by the teachers makes you want to dive right in.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” says Isaacson, who is attending her second session of School of the Arts.
Instructor Carol Moss has her students hum as she begins guiding them into meditation. “When we make our minds quiet, we tap the deepest wells of creativity,” she says.
Laughter, tongue-twisters and snapping fingers move across the stage in Frank Peot’s improvisation class. “A very big part of improvisation is listening — listening and responding,” Peot tells his students.
Susan Meyer of Wausau says she’d been wanting to be part of something like School of the Arts for a long time. “I just wanted to take time to do art projects,” says Meyer, who is taking classes in painting and drawing.
Meyer is at the school with her husband, Bill. They are among several couples attending together, but for the Meyers, it is also a celebration of their 22nd wedding anniversary.
Bill Meyer is taking writing, music and computer classes. “They’re all interesting,” he says. “And affirming. I haven’t heard anyone say, ‘That’s stupid.’ You’re encouraged to take what you have and build on that.”
— Pat Schneider