Immersed in Inspiration: Art and Dance Students Shine in New York City

On November 21-22, Bullis artists and dance students embarked on an unforgettable overnight field trip to New York City, a vibrant epicenter of creativity and culture. The highlight of the journey was a visit to the renowned Whitney Museum of American Art to experience the powerful “Edges of Ailey” exhibit—a transformative exploration of identity, movement, and legacy.

The trip was an immersion into the creative heartbeat of the city, igniting inspiration for the young visual artists and dancers. After arriving and settling into their hotel, dance students headed straight to Broadway Dance Studios for an invigorating two-hour masterclass, while the visual art students ventured to the Museum of Art and Design to explore the thought-provoking exhibits “Reinventing Craft” and “Barbie,” which challenged conventional artistic perspectives.

That evening, the group reunited for dinner at the iconic Ellen’s Stardust Diner, where the students joined in singing along to show tunes and pop favorites performed by the dynamic server-entertainers. The excitement continued as we walked to the Sondheim Theater for a one-of-a-kind singalong performance of & Juliet, hosted by none other than JC Chasez of NSYNC. To top off the night, the students explored a few of Times Square’s iconic landmarks, including the M&M and Hershey stores, before returning to the hotel to rest.

The next morning began with an authentic New York breakfast at Liberty Bagel, fueling the crew for a full day of discovery. The visit to the Whitney Museum proved to be a deeply moving experience. One student reflected, “Ms. Adams, I walked into the space and a wave of heaviness came over me—not in a bad way, but in a ‘this is really important’ way.” For AP Art students, the exhibit redefined their approach to their “sustained investigation,” inspiring them to delve deeper into themes of self and identity.

The morning and early afternoon were spent exploring the vibrant West Village. After touring the Whitney exhibit, the students strolled the High Line, marveled at Hudson Yards, and enjoyed Chelsea Market. A highlight of the day was a photo-op with “The Dinosaur,” a whimsical 16-foot pigeon sculpture perched along the High Line.

As the adventure drew to a close, the group gathered their belongings, boarded the bus, and returned to Bullis with hearts and minds brimming with inspiration. It was a whirlwind journey—a perfect blend of creativity, culture, and camaraderie.