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As with most activities at St. John’s, the arts are what happens
when intellectual passion is set free. Students are moved by a play
by Aristophanes or Shakespeare, and suddenly they want to be part
of a production. Some find a taste for singing in freshman chorus
and want to extend their involvement in music. Others take an
extracurricular class in painting and from then on visit the art
studio whenever they can. Many students have previously cultivated
skills in the arts and are pleased that they can continue developing
them at the college. Whatever sparks their involvement, students
approach the arts in the same spirit they do everything at St. John’s:
first, as amateurs unafraid to try new things; and second, as con-
scious observers of their own actions, eager to discuss their pursuits.
Perhaps the most visible aspect of the arts at St. John’s is
the way they enhance life on both campuses. Not only participants
benefit; everyone enjoys a richer environment. From theatrical
productions that tie in with the readings and in which students
nearly always know someone on stage, to formal musical perfor-
mances and daily impromptu jam sessions in community spaces,
to student art exhibits at the galleries on both campuses, to a
literary magazine showcasing student writing, art, and photogra-
phy, the entire St. John’s community shares in the arts. And with
the skills of active listening honed in seminars, the analytical
expertise cultivated in tutorials, and the powers of careful observa-
tion developed in laboratories, St. John’s students constitute
what may well be the ideal audience for their peers.
Are there opportunities towrite for college publications?
St. John’s students tend to be highly articulate, thoughtful, and creative—which makes
writing a natural pursuit for many. Students put their writing talents on display in
the form of essays, poetry, and fiction published in annual student-produced literary
magazines on both campuses—
The Grout
in Santa Fe and
Energeia
in Annapolis.
Student-run newspapers (
The Gadfly
in Annapolis and
The Moon
in Santa Fe) provide
a forum for everyone in the college community to comment on issues of interest and
concern. Students from both campuses can also contribute articles to
The College
,
St. John’s alumni magazine.
The Arts
What is
passion?