An ART-Full Life: Winston Celebrates the Arts

An ART-FULL Life

Winston Celebrates the Arts

Head’s Message by Dr. Jenn Milam

Last week, our incredible Fine and Performing Arts department showcased the creativity, talent, and dedication of our students during Winston’s Evening of the Arts. It was another vibrant celebration of our community—one that honored not just the final products and performances, but the importance of living an art-full life.

Thomas Merton insightfully wrote, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” At Winston, we deeply believe that art—in all its forms—supports the growth, development, and academic journey of our students at critical stages in their lives. It also nurtures the development of empathy, which begins with imagination: the ability to step into another’s experience and consider what it might be like to live differently.

I am incredibly proud of our school and our unwavering commitment to the arts—from our littlest learners with Ms. Weir, to our most advanced 2D and 3D artists working with Dr. Gillespie and Ms. Muldez. Whether it’s the confidence shining through a trumpet solo under Mr. Shrader’s direction, or the emotional connection forged with an audience in a performance led by Ms. Bossalini, the results are, quite simply, remarkable.

Art education fosters life-long skills such as creative problem-solving, self-efficacy, critical thinking, resilience, the ability to embrace failure as part of learning, and persistence. These are essential tools not only in school, but in life.

As we look ahead to our 50th Anniversary celebrations next year, we’re excited about the many opportunities to come together as a community to celebrate the power of the arts. Our new Middle School program will include music, visual art, and drama as part of the core curriculum. And our faculty is already looking forward to taking our Upper School students to the annual ISAS Arts Festival in 2026, hosted just down the street at St. Mark’s School of Texas.

There is no doubt that the impact of art goes far beyond what research alone can capture. Its intrinsic value resonates deeply—not only with the artist, but with everyone who experiences it.

Thank you for being a part of our celebration of the arts and your students. Winston looks forward to many more art-full years with you and your family!