As we begin the 21st summer of Beam Camp camper enrollment and big project selection, it is impossible for me not to reflect on the central role that intentional and unintentional challenges play in Beam Center’s approach to cultivating environments for educational and developmental growth.

Katherine, from the Fall 2022 Fellows program, wrote her own blog talking about her experience as Fellow and her journey through Beam. Katherine felt more comfortable writing in Spanish, so you will find the Spanish version and a translated version of her blog here.

We are excited to announce our 2023 -2024 Beam Project Governors Island: seeAsaw, to be built at Beam Camp City during summer 2023. seeAsaw is an interactive and immersive structure of 6 seesaws, connected by a spectacular draping hammock made from rescued fishing nets, which moves in wave-like motions that are reminiscent of the sea. seeAsaw was designed by Andre kong studio in collaboration with Ruben Correia and Ghost Diving USA.

This month’s installment of our Community Spotlight series features Korean-American Humanities teacher at Bronx International High School (BxIHS), David Choi. Before beginning his tenure at Bronx International HS, David taught English at a school in Korea for two years.

This month’s installment of our community spotlight features Kieran, former Beam Camper and Staff Assistant. Kieran is currently a sophomore at Tufts University studying biochemistry and studio art. In addition to his studies, Kieran has two part time jobs - one of which is at the university’s theatre, where he designs and creates set pieces for the student shows.

We're excited to announce that we have selected our 2023-2024 Beam Project New Hampshire: Welcome Beacon, to be built at Beam Camp during summer 2023. As part of our Big Projects initiative, Beam Center builds large-scale public artworks through collaborations with youth. These projects are displayed across three locations: Beam Camp City on Governors Island, in a local NYC community, and - in the case of this project - Beam Camp in Strafford, NH.

This month's installment of our Community Spotlight series features May. May is a longtime Beam Camper and a high school senior at Friends Select in Philadelphia, PA. May is preparing to attend college during Spring 2023 and says that she is interested in studying environmental science, engineering, and design.

Thank you to everyone who attended our July program “A Community Approach to Art: Supporting Communities by Engaging Artists + Youth.” A panel conversation, this program explored different approaches to community engagement in the arts and the importance of connecting practicing artists with young people.

This month’s installment of our Staff Spotlight series features our Project Designer and Fabric Specialist, Romina Schulz. Romina is a researcher and a visual artist that currently works mainly with textiles and ceramic. She holds a Bachelor in Fine Arts, with a major in painting, from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Peru. Romina continued her training with several Peruvian pre-hispanic textile courses, such as brocade weaving, Paracas ringed knitting, and backstrap weaving.

We are excited to announce this month's installment of our Community Spotlight series featuring artist Ye Qin Zhu. Last year, Ye designed both of our big projects for Beam Camp and Beam Camp City. He is an interdisciplinary artist with a wide-ranging practice that encompasses painting, public art, and social practice. Ye was briefly a member of Beam Center’s staff beginning in 2017 before leaving to pursue his artistic practice. In 2021, he proposed a project through our annual Open Call for Big Projects. Later Ye was asked to also propose a project for our first summer at Beam Camp City.

Our May Community Spotlight features Devon, a member of Beam’s Project Production team. Devon is currently working with our Project Director, Mitchell, and a team of young adults to prototype for this summer’s Beam Project New Hampshire: As Above, So Below.