Dear Artists of Colby

Dear Artists of Colby, 

 

Four years, eight semesters. Our time on this hill is short. 

Hours often move slowly, but weeks accumulate fast. 

You’ll look at the date, and realize that you aren’t the same 

wide-eyed freshman you once were. 

A lot happens in four years — Colby is in the midst of an era of rapid change. 

Change is good, 

and our school’s commitment to reinvesting into our infrastructure 

is honorable. 

But what can we build as students if the college isn’t building with us? 

There are so many doors the College has opened for us to explore and invest in ourselves, how can we use them to cultivate something for each other? 

How can we create something that can be sustained 

across Colby’s ever-changing landscape? 

We need artists more than ever. 

The liberal arts allow us to holistically explore the world around us, 

enriching our creative spirit. 

This is a special place, and we should treat it as such. 

We are privileged to have the opportunities provided by this institution, 

and they are privileged 

to have such a dynamic student body of critical thinkers and imaginaries. 

We are a school of “doubles” — majors, athletes, workers, and artists 

This means we are uniquely equipped to capture the world around us 

Where our interests intersect, our canvas widens 

When we collaborate, we raise the bar for what is possible 

We have the power to create the change we desire. 

But that can’t happen if we are silent.

We have to create 

Not because it’ll earn us a grade, not because it will create publicity, and surely not for money But because imagination fuels the spirit, and is our lasting legacy. 

A creative student body is a healthy student body. 

Together we can push the limits of what has been done here, 

laying the foundation for future students to build upon. 

Humanity’s greatest breakthroughs weren’t born in a vacuum, 

They were sculpted from the clay left by prior generations of inventors and visionaries. 

Frida Kahlo wouldn’t have painted surreal self-portraits 

which re-articulated the rich tapestry of Mexican identity 

without the Indigenous culture 

and Arte Popular that came before her. 

Michael Jordan couldn’t have redefined greatness and influence 

if not for Dr. J and his high-flying predecessors 

Rachel Carson couldn’t have sparked the environmental movement 

without her mentors, peers, and the inspiration of Maine’s coast. 

John Brown’s fervent abolitionist legacy could not have happened 

without the relentless belief in free speech 

and eventual martyrdom of Colby’s own Elijah Lovejoy. 

We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, 

but we have to look inwards and to each other. 

We can incubate the innovation Colby deeply desires to foster in its new investments Only if we unapologetically express ourselves, 

and only if the school builds with us — not over us. 

So if you have a desire to create, CREATE! 

This place is better if you share your light with it.

These four years are our time to push ourselves and to grow. 

There’s never been a more important time to embrace the potential of human creativity 

Rapid adoption of AI slop generation and the targeted devaluation of art 

have been used to deliberately attack our imaginative minds.  

This is an existential threat to every medium. 

In the face of this disruptive technology, we cannot shy away 

The future of art is highly human-centric 

Live performances and in person experiences will continue to reign supreme so let’s make them. 

Let’s cultivate. 

The answer is in ourselves — if we unleash our raw expressive potential. 

Our works won’t go away when we graduate, 

so long as we build a culture of continuity. 

Colby’s 213 year history is littered with thousands of student artists 

who left their footprint. 

We are that history, and now is our time to write it.

Construction may indicate that the college has tunneled in 

on a specific vision of a new Colby, 

but that shouldn’t deter us from demanding more. 

We can shape the future of this school. 

A new center of innovation will open in 18 months. 

That means we have a headstart. 

A chance to unify and work for each other. 

A chance to create.

 

 

~ Rafi Aronson `27