Greta Lawler ’23
Each year, Mercersburg students respond to the books from the Summer Community Read in a variety of personal, unique, and creative ways. This year, after reading and reflecting upon either Between the World and Me by Ta Nehisi Coates or Body Talk edited by Kelly Jensen, students were offered two prompts for their response: the first, an invitation to “tell the story of your body,” and the second, the opportunity to engage in an extension learning activity of their choice.
Either prompt could be fulfilled through a variety of media including but not limited to writing, videography, visual and digital art, dance choreography, and musical performance or composition. The summer reading response provided a prime outlet for creative expression and exploration for students from all artistic backgrounds, from underclassmen with a blossoming interest in the arts to AS Studio Art students with mature and well-developed artistic skill.
Art resonated for many students as the most natural way to approach the task of telling their body’s story. Sisi Guo ’25, who created a pencil sketch reflecting on her body, said “I think for Body Talk, and for reflecting on your body, having a visual representation is really powerful.” Char Stauffer ’22, who created a digital art piece, expanded on the idea, saying “I feel like the body is something that is perceived a lot of times, by yourself and especially by others, so art has a sort of powerful way of reflecting that perception.” Other art pieces included acrylic and watercolor paintings, various styles of digital art, sculptures, videos, original dances, collages, and cartoons.
Alexandra Patterson, school librarian and head of the Summer Reading Committee, who will be reviewing student responses over the next several weeks, said “I am always blown away by the creativity of Mercersburg students, and I’m sure this year will be no different!” Student art and writing will be on display in the niche gallery of the Burgin Center for the Arts from October 18 to November 19.