Senior Observations

Last week was the opening reception to Moore’s Senior show. I think it is safe to say that most seniors anticipate this event with a mixture apprehension and excitement. We are told our entire four years at the school that it is a big deal and our careers could start there. So yes, there is a lot of pressure. We lose sleep and a large portion of our common sense in the process. In essence we are pretty much crazy by the time this event rolls around. 

This combination results in a majority of us looking like hobo-esque characters for a better part of time in school.

As the grand finale rolls around it should come as no surprise that there is the general sense that we should present ourselves as professional, sophisticated beings. Or, at least, manage to hide away our lunacy for a few hours. Countless hours and days are spent agonizing over what should be worn and how it should be worn.

Finally the much-anticipated day rolls around and everyone shows up looking their spiffiest; myself included.

Yes…I apparently missed the memo. I looked like a little 70’s flower child.

Prior to the event our school kindly feeds us to ensure we don’t pass out during the actual show. In reality I think they just don’t want us eating all the samplers they have for the VIP guests. Besides it would set a bad precedence if we truly embodied the idea of a “starving artist”. It wouldn’t say much for the school’s reputation.

And so they feed us:

I didn’t say it was the most thought through idea.

Then comes the award ceremony, which brings out the socially awkward being in all of us. It is in this moment that it becomes evident that few of us can successfully walk in heels and are abysmally shy people.

Directly following the award ceremony is the actual opening reception. The moment we have been waiting for! It has come! Armed with pleasant smiles and business cards we post ourselves by our work ready to embark on our first professional showing of our art.

And the show begins:

People admire our work.

Some get tipsy and/or drunk.

Others are just plain suspicious.

 
All and all it is a very eventful evening. As the heels come of and we drag ourselves away from our walls a wave of emotions hits. It is the beginning of the end of our time at school. It is a lot to process. If you are me this results in you bawling your eyes out and not being to articulate why.

No worries though for after being fed and put back into my natural habitat things were fine.

I’m ready for the next step, what ever it may be.