TRAVIS MAPP, Eighth Grade Lead Teacher “The Greek philosopher Aristotle loosely defines the soul as ‘an important essence that gives (us) the potential to grow.’ Alma del Mar has been striving to develop the soul of its scholars; that is, to give you the tools you need to meet the potential for growth that all of you have. Projects such as Passages have helped you to see the course that you were set upon the day you walked through Alma’s doors for the first time. This, however, is not about endings but about beginnings. This is about looking ahead to the next stage of growth. Growth looks different for each of us. You have experienced successes and failures; and you have proven how resilient you can be in the face of challenge. Remember that you have the ‘soul of the sea’ inside you and that your soul cannot be destroyed, nor can its light be diminished.”
CHRIS REGO, Visual Arts Teacher and Almazing Fund grant recipient “I explored numerous public arts and education institutions in and around Raleigh, N.C., to see how these institutions address issues with the provenance of their collection, artistic commentary on on-going political and social issues on a local, national, and global scale. I spent hours in quiet art museums, full of strangers from around the world while still being able to explore the art, make connections, design projects for our scholars, and find inspiration for my own practice and future works. I saw multiple artists’ struggle with race, love, and identity as told through portraiture, sculpture, and video. I marveled at Rembrandt van Rijn’s copper etching plates. A local musician/folk historian performed songs on his fiddle and banjo that were taught to him by older generations of local musicians going back to the 1700’s. I experienced in the museums. I am excited to put some of what I learned from the museums of Raleigh into practice in my own classroom!” A N N UA L R E P O RT 2023 • 8
