“We work hard to shift that lens when students say, ‘I can’t.’
They absolutely can.”
DEPARTMENT HEAD
Jeanine Eschenbach Students feel genuinely comfortable being curious here — comfortable enough that many spend their free periods and weekends in the visual arts building, not because they have to, but because something draws them back. It’s an environment where, no matter who you are — whether you’re simply here to draw or paint, craft a stunning piece of jewelry in metalsmithing, or spend hours working on your portfolio for an early decision deadline — you feel empowered. That sense of confident curiosity and belonging has students seeking out this space again and again, which is a wonderful thing. In thinking about being curious, a current student comes to mind. I had the pleasure of working with him when he first arrived at Cushing as a freshman. He was a wonderful student and athlete, but he came here for a lot of reasons — none of which were art. Still, he was immediately aglow in this space: questioning, full of wonder, yet also reticent and a bit nervous. He simply had never seen himself as someone like this. The following year, he enrolled in my architecture class, and after the first month, I realized he is a maker. He is a natural builder and visual thinker with an intuitive, designengineering brain. This year, he’s in advanced portfolio, which, for him, is almost a shock. He is still realizing that — in fact —
he can do this, and he is genuinely loving the work he is doing. The curiosity, joy, and wonder are there, and he has created some truly incredible pieces that are really all his own. I believe people are inherently creative, but they don’t always know or believe it. What we hope is that students come to Cushing and discover that there is an artist in there! And that they begin to feel comfortable claiming that title. Regardless of background, confidence level, or how they’ve previously understood themselves as learners, we want every student to recognize that they are creative and that they can question what they see, challenge assumptions, and make something meaningful. Whether they go on to pursue art, business, law, science, or any other field, that openness will support everything that comes next. We work hard to shift that lens from “I can’t” to “I absolutely can.” We welcome all students into that aesthetic self-discovery, and we remain equally committed to cultivating a visual arts program of authentic joy and engagement: one that nurtures the new and unknown and also challenges our most dedicated student artists.
SPRING 2026
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