In the morning performance today we heard from the Architecture and Creative Writing faculty in Part 1 of 2 of “Personal Geography.” Personal Geography is a chance for the entire school to witness the talent of the teaching faculty, but also to hear the moving stories that only people who have struggled to make it as artists can tell. In Personal Geography the faculty shared unique stories about their journeys through their lives and art forms. Although the stories were different, it was clear that the faculty shares many things in common with one another. The overarching theme seemed to be summed up best by Dr. Angelique Clay who ingeniously told her story in between re-enactments of her own GSA audition which eventually landed her a place in the first GSA class of 1987. She talked about her achievements and mistakes, as well as the joys and hardships she has encountered in her journey as a black opera singer, and Dr. Clay ended by saying, “But you know what? I get to teach and perform, and I get to sing all day long. And I love what I do.”

During Personal Geography I found myself laughing hysterically one minute and tearing up the next—the artists on faculty at GSA are accomplished in their respective art forms and in the lives they have lived as well.

Until tomorrow, this is GSA ’08 intern Laura Lamping Greenwell signing off.