Yesterday, I walked around the lower east side of New York visiting galleries and looked at some of the most compelling emerging art in the world. This dense and cool part of Manhattan is one of the most important proving grounds for contemporary artists worldwide.

And, there we were! One River School Teen Students from our Englewood location produced a pop up show with work from a special cohort of students who participated in our “Art Effect” program. These middle school and high school teens spent the last year working on an original body of artwork and the results were a diverse group of objects that pushed the boundaries of what teenagers can achieve.

I was so excited to see their work, meet with their families and share a few thoughts about my perspective. Most importantly, I saw the pride on their faces and the sense of accomplishment that often transcends people when they get to share their hard fought outcomes with the world.

Today, I am filled with pride and a deep respect for my staff and our students.