The Residency

The Vermont College of Fine Arts residency has been on my mind in the last few days. The new residency just started, and it’s the one year anniversary of my graduating residency. I'm amazed that one year ago, I was caught up in the energetic activities of my last residency… packing for snow, preparing gifts for the faculty, and double checking things for my lecture, reading and graduation ceremonies. Plus, my husband and daughter would make the trip across country, during winter no less, to see me graduate.

At first, I wasn’t going to bother my family with attending my graduation, simply because of the travel. It’s not easy to get to Montpelier. No direct flights. Uncertain weather and delays with a six year old… probably not on the favorite list of things to do, especially for my husband.

That feeling changed.

I knew and decided that I wanted my family to see and meet all the people and places of Vermont College and Montpelier. The community had become an important part of my life. I wanted them to see it all, and experience why I traveled so far every six months. I knew I wanted my daughter to see me graduate and to see that I was doing something that I loved. Time will tell how it all affected and continues to affect her.

My short term memory is terrible, but I remember that residency and the busyness leading up to it with fondness and clarity.

That’s what VCFA does to you. It changes you in countless, unexpected, and glorious ways.