2025 Spring Arts Field Trips

Last week, students and faculty from several Millbrook art classes enjoyed field trips across New York and New England. An annual event, this year’s trips included stops at John Dolan Studio, Dutchess Day School, and Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

Photography Instructor Sarah MacWright took her experimental photography class to visit photographer and Millbrook parent John Dolan P ’13, ’15, ’17. One of the most famous wedding photographers in the U.S., Dolan has photographed ceremonies for celebrities like Jerry Seinfeld and Gwenyth Paltrow, and Naomi Biden—the latter of which took him and his camera to the Whitehouse.

Students brought prints of images they plan to show in the upcoming Holbrook Made exhibit at the Warner Gallery, and Dolan gave suggestions for editing them. He also offered advice on how aspiring photographers should present themselves at events. MacWright summarized his message: “The kind of person you are shapes the way people around you react to you.”

But the interaction wasn’t one-sided. Dolan also showed some of his most recent work, asking the students for their feedback.

After spending time at Dolan’s studio, the class enjoyed lunch together. They finished their trip with a visit to sculpture park Art Omi.

Musically inclined students went on a field trip with Art Department Chair Joe Raciti and Director of Instrumental Music Brian Coughlin to perform at Dutchess Day School, a pre-K–8 school just down the road from Millbrook School. The performances included vocal pieces from the Millbrook Singers and instrumental songs by The Groove.

DDS students sang along with their Millbrook counterparts, enjoying performances the Millbrook community regularly experiences at campus events like Alumni Summit, Arts Nights, and Assemblies.

Mixed media, painting, sculpture, and studio pottery classes took their trip to MASS MoCA in North Adams, MA. Led by Art Instructor Kiernan Pazdar and Ceramics Instructor Tyler Gundrum, students spent the day surrounded by evocative modern artwork.

Student artists were surely inspired by their time at MASS MoCA. Several of these dedicated young artists displayed their work in the recent Honors Art Show, and we’re excited to see what’s next from them after their field trip.

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