LAST LOOK

The Message, Not the Medium

2021 Rubenstein Guest Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg explores the pandemic, empathy, and thousands of unfinished stories.

“In my art, you will see a theme,” said Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg, the 2020/21 Sidwell Friends guest artist at the School’s Rubenstein Guest Artist Lecture in May. “I take on topics where there has been a lot of discussion, but very little movement.” Perhaps no issue epitomized that theme so precisely as COVID-19, which ravaged the nation while the previous White House fumbled its reaction. In response, Firstenberg created In America: How could this happen…, an instantly iconic installment in the DC Armory featuring more than a quarter of a million small white flags— each representing a coronavirus death. “I wanted to use art to explain to people the real depth and breadth of this tragedy,” Firstenberg said. “The number of deaths in America got so extreme that people were ignoring it in a way.” The 270,000-plus flags, she said, each represent “unfinished stories.” She chose the flags for their movement and color: “The flags, when they ripple, it is the only movement, and there’s beauty in that. But on the whole, when you look at this immense field, that white really looks like what it is: the flag of surrender.” Of course, even a quarter-million flags couldn’t keep pace with the pandemic. So Firstenberg partnered with George Washington University to create a digitized, geolocated version of the installment. Now, Americans everywhere can “visit” the flags and even add their own.

Firstenberg has worked across a spectrum of critical issues, from addiction to immigration. In doing so, she has used clay, bronze, wood, sharpies, flags, and even ice to express herself. “You will not recognize my art visually,” she said. “You will feel it viscerally.” Sidwell Friends Middle Schoolers had a chance to experience that for themselves during a virtual field trip to Firstenberg’s huge Bethesda studio. She started out by asking the class who among them were artists. But before the students could answer, Firstenberg said: “You should all have your hands raised. You are all artists. Everyone has an artist on the inside.”

THE FOX DEN

SLY STYLE

The Fox Den’s online store has all of your Quaker spirit gear and merch needs covered. You need masks? We’ve got ‘em. Plus, scarves, plush blankets, backpacks, water bottles, sweatpants, ornaments, PJs, hats, onesies, and more!

MORE THAN 100 WAYS TO SHOW YOUR PRIDE!

Meghan Leavitt

3825 Wisconsin Avenue NW 3825 Wisconsin Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016-2999 Washington, DC 20016-2999

Nonprofit Nonprofit Organization Organization US Postage US Postage PAID PAID Hagerstown, MD Hagerstown, MD Permit No. 93 Permit No. 93

JUST BREATHE JUST BREATHE

Roma ’28 wanted to raise $500 with a garage sale— enough for an oxygen concentrator—to support COVID relief in India. She ended up raising $810. A collection of brightly colored photos from spring on campus, celebrating students being on campus five days a week! Take a peek at some favorite photos submitted by our grandparents for Grandparents & Friends Days 2021! Two students jumping into the new week.

Roma ’28 wanted to raise $500 with a garage sale— During 48 Hours for Scholars: “I gave more this year than enough for an oxygen concentrator—to support COVID any other because I could see this adorable kid smiling relief in India. She ended up raising $810. through his mask. Resilience = Sidwell kids!” A collection of brightly colored photos from spring on From the archives: Sidwell Friends students taking part campus, celebrating students being on campus five in the May Festival in 1920. days a week! Take a peek at some favorite photos submitted by our grandparents for Grandparents & Friends Days 2021! Two students jumping into the new week. During 48 Hours for Scholars: “I gave more this year than any other because I could see this adorable kid smiling through his mask. Resilience = Sidwell kids!” From the archives: Sidwell Friends students taking part in the May Festival in 1920.

SNEAK PEEK INTO SCHOOL SNEAK PEEK INTO SCHOOL THE EYES HAVE IT THE EYES HAVE IT

SPRING FORWARD SPRING FORWARD JUMPING IN JUMPING IN THROWBACK THURSDAY THROWBACK THURSDAY