October 27, 2023

“And I was like, ‘why don't I just go to college?’ Because I've always wanted to be a visual artist as well,” they said. 

It didn’t take long to realize that Bennington was the place for them. 

“It was a mix of great financial aid and the ability to do everything that I love at one time,” they said. Also, there’s “an incredible arts facility in the middle of such a beautiful green place. I fell in love with Bennington.”

They arrived with a curious and outgoing attitude. 

“I had this policy for myself when I started school: I’ll leave no question unasked, within the bounds of respecting people's boundaries,” they stipulated. “And I think that's served me really well in class.” Combined with Bennington’s unique attributes, Navarre has made great progress in their development as an artist and a person. 

Among Bennington’s better qualities, according to Navarre, is how small it is. “Honestly, I like being in a small community. I like knowing everybody's name. I like to walk outside and be able to say ‘hi’ to people and know them.” 

In a closely knit community like Bennington’s, people’s individuality really shines through, they said. “Bennington is so queer,” they laugh. “So, what I mean by that is the community is just so accepting.” It’s not only that so many people are gay or trans, they said. 

"It's the way that people live; they do not follow,” they said. “Being around so many independent thinkers really gave me the chance to let go of what other people were thinking about me. Everyone is just expressing themselves.

It's the way that people live; they do not follow,” they said. “Being around so many independent thinkers really gave me the chance to let go of what other people were thinking about me. Everyone is just expressing themselves.

They credit Bennington for reconsidering how they wanted to live. “Bennington put me in a position where I had to decide if I really cared about what everyone thought of what I was doing and who I was or if I could just live my life and be happy with doing what I wanted to do,” they said. “So it's made me a lot more independent. I'd say it's put me in a position to take charge of my own education, and I've grown in a lot of ways.” 

With their own curiosity and the confidence Bennington inspires, Navarre doesn’t miss opportunities to ask for what they need. 

"Here, you just kind of go up to your professor and say, ‘Hey, I have this project I really want to do,’ and they'll just support you in it." 

They have applied the self-advocacy skills they learned at school during Field Work Terms at a gallery and as a studio art assistant for professional artists. “I've had situations where I've actually argued for a raise and received it and had discussions about pronouns in the workplace. I would not have had the confidence to do that before.”

Non-linear Growth

The combination of their own drive and Bennington’s supportive and multidisciplinary environment has led Navarre to interesting places. 

“My growth has not been linear,” they said. “Bennington sort of puts you on this windy path where you try and you fail. And you try and you fail again and again,” they said. “And then you look back and you realize that you've actually made all of these connections between what you're learning in class, outside of class, with your friends, in your artwork, or whatever you study.” 

In addition to dance, choreography, and movement, Navarre studies visual art, music, and accessibility. They also study within the Center for the Advancement of Public Action (CAPA), including having been trained and certified as a mediator. “I don't feel satisfied unless I'm doing five different things at the same time,” they laugh. This past summer, they completed an independent study in preparation for their senior work, which combined the development of a daily practice, visual art, dance, and community building.

They are studying sculpture for the first time this term and serving as the president of the Student Educational Policies Committee. The group supports and connects students, faculty, and academic administration to handle any academic issues or initiatives that the student body wants, they explained. “It's kind of silly and hilarious that I'm now the president of this organization, because I did not really see myself getting so involved; but I'm actually really excited to approach more issues from this standpoint this year.” 

“I'm actually really grateful to have chosen Bennington and have received a lot out of it,” they said. “So I'm just very open right now. I'm excited. I'm excited about everything.

In addition, they have been accepted to a 6-week dance residency in Berlin during the winter Field Work Term. After graduation, they said, “The door is wide open.” 

“I love working with children. I like teaching art. I like working in galleries.” Most importantly, they said, “I'm really interested in reducing harm in the communities that I'm a part of. So I'd be excited to work in a small gallery whose mission is centered around uplifting groups of people who historically have not been uplifted in the arts.” 

“I'm actually really grateful to have chosen Bennington and have received a lot out of it,” they said. “So I'm just very open right now. I'm excited. I'm excited about everything.

Learn more about studying dance, music, public action, and visual arts at Bennington. For information about becoming a student at Bennington, visit bennington.edu/hyphenate.