An arts editor bids a fond farewell

In my last article as a News-Letter editor, having helped run the Arts & Entertainment section now for nearly two years, I ask myself in the words of David Byrne, "Well, how did I get here?" It all started in the fall of 2000, when one of my former suitemates, who was working on the News-Letter at the time came to me randomly one day and said that the arts section was desperate for articles that week; knowing that I was an art history major, she wondered if I would be interested in writing. I agreed, somewhat skeptically, and proceeded to the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), where I wrote my first review of a modern photographer's retrospective.

To my surprise, it was a strangely enjoyable experience, so I continued writing reviews of shows at Baltimore's larger museums and smaller galleries. Then, at some point in the middle of the semester, I found out that one of the arts editors had unexpectedly quit and needed a replacement. I ran for the spot on a whim . and have been spending my Tuesday evenings in the Gatehouse ever since.

I never imagined what a positive experience working on the News-Letter would be. Not only did I get to meet so many fun, quirky characters and learn a lot about the behind-the-scenes mechanisms of a weekly publication, I also discovered a field in which I could be a writer and still earn a living. For me, practicing journalism has given me a way to bring together my writing skills and knowledge of art. I've had the opportunity to become better acquainted with Baltimore's art scene, as well as be invited to work on other projects as a freelance writer, including the City Paper, Link (a local arts journal), and Waverly's Sassafras gallery. And as I've gained confidence in writing about visual arts, I've been able to move on to film, music, theater and subjects beyond the A&E world.

There have been a number of arts highlights, particularly in Baltimore, for me in the last couple of years. There was the Robert Rauschenberg exhibit at the BMA and the "Orientalism" show at the Walters Art Museum. Becoming close with a local artist and see her progress from having a minor exhibit in an Annapolis gallery to opening her own gallery in Mount Vernon. Finally going to the notorious Club Orpheus and dancing Goth-style all night. Spending hours at the National Gallery in D.C. Taking a drawing class at the Maryland Institute College of Art and getting to check out a proliferation of engaging works by young artists in the school galleries. Going for months without missing a single movie at the Charles Theatre. The Tori Amos Strange Little Girls concert show at the D.A.R. concert hall. My favorite band, Depeche Mode, releasing a new album, Exciter (and me missing their D.C. show). Getting to check out some unusual independent films at Microcinefest and the Maryland Film Festival. And more recently, becoming better acquainted with the local music scene over the last semester.

I know there's much that I've left out, but there's also so much more to come. Next semester will be my last at Hopkins, and I'll hopefully continue to write for the News-Letter, although I'll be moving down in the staff ranks. This summer, among other things, I'll be interning as an assistant to a local writer with a particular interest in gender and sexuality, so I'm looking forward to new adventures in living out my writing aspirations. I wish you all a great summer, good luck to next year's A&E editors, and much love and thanks to everyone at the News-Letter.