Since I started One River, I have become enamored with what I call “The Joy of Sharing”. It’s that moment when a student proudly shows you what they completed and it is a really important one. Whenever we create something, whether it is a painting, a writing or a music composition, we spend a lot of time in our own heads…thinking, evaluating, changing, producing etc.  It is a constant volley of internal thoughts to sort through our work and move from start to finish.

But, once it is done, there is a special chance to reflect and SHARE the outcome. I LOVE walking into a studio and asking students to share and describe what they made, where it came from, where they struggled and learn about the process and decisions they made. Even more, I REALLY LOVE the sense of pride they have when someone engages and provides recognition for a work well done.

Take a look at the faces of some of our teen students and this video from our Allendale, NJ school.  I caught up with them this past Saturday and the 15 minutes I spent with them made my day! I am telling you that we are onto something here. We have built a program that inspires creativity and without a doubt our students are growing dynamically along the way.

Feeling the joy….