Volume XXI, Number 16 (Issue 1020) April 17, 2023
Artistry
Recently, Sandy and I had the pleasure of attending another amazing performance of the North East School of the Arts’ dance program. For ninety minutes the audience watched in rapt attention as several dozen high school students performed a range of numbers that demonstrated nearly every dance form known to man. From the outset, one could easily see the joy and energy present on that stage. By intermission, it was also obvious that whether it was a freshman or senior, each dancer was performing at a very high level. Perhaps that is to be expected given the caliber of the faculty and guest choreographers, the school’s rigorous admission process and standards, and the career aspirations and dedication of the young people who apply and are enrolled. It might be I am biased given Sandy’s longtime ties to education including secondary programs like NESA, but biased or not, what the entire audience witnessed that night was pure artistry.
Then, this past Saturday night we attended Gourmet Night 2023 at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership at the University of Houston. That evening, which is entirely student run, is now in its fiftieth year. We’ve been fortunate to take part in that phenomenal dining experience for over a dozen years. Among the many things we routinely look forward to and rave about following one of these special nights are the incredible menu, appearance, and taste of the food (all student chosen and prepared), the meticulous service (also student driven), and the creativity and execution of the program (once again, student designed and orchestrated). Hence, a year of passion, planning, and preparation shows in every movement and detail. From our and many other attendees’ and sponsors’ standpoint, it doesn’t hurt that the funds raised each year go directly to scholarships. That added benefit and the excellent company we are able to keep aside, what we witnessed again on Saturday night was another example of pure artistry.
As I’ve thought about these two cases and countless others like them, I am reminded of the strong link between passion, artistry, and the joy that artistry in its many forms provides. Thus, my first question for you is what forms of artistry touch you in a special way – be it as artist, observer, or patron? From there, the next question – or maybe it is an instruction – is can you recognize the artistry in what you do? If you cannot identify it in your vocation, here is hoping you can see it clearly in one or more of your avocations.
Soli Deo Gloria
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
J. Keith Hughey
Mobile: (210)260-0955
E-mail: keith@jkeithhughey.com
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Transforming Potential into Unmatched Performance
Copyright 2023 by J. Keith Hughey. All rights reserved. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction and redistribution of this essay as provided under the copyright laws of the United States of America. The entire early library of Monday Morning Musings issues may be found at www.jkeithhughey.com. Your comments are welcome and encouraged.