Essentially GFS: Night Classes For All

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Instructors: Sam Sullivan and Alex Levin

This class is an invitation to read closely. “Tell all the Truth but tell it slant”, “I dwell in Possibility”, “I heard, as if I had no Ear”: these opening lines of poems by Emily Dickinson invite us to wonder what she means. How does one tell the truth…but slant? How can we dwell in possibility—and is that a good place to be? How does one hear without an ear? It is almost impossible to read these opening lines without wanting to read the next line and to trace Dickinson’s thinking.

In our class, we will explore Dickinson’s poems through careful consideration of her metaphors, her imagery, her form, and sound devices. It is one of life’s greatest joys to engage with Dickinson’s writing, and the thrill is even greater when exploring her texts with friends. Through conversation and reflective and creative writing, we will come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Emily Dickinson’s craft and her profound impact on the history of American poetry. 


About the Teachers:

Sam Sullivan teaches English and Poetry at GFS. A graduate of Yale University, Sam has brought a unique approach to reading and writing poetry that has inspired GFS students for over a decade. In addition to his work as a teacher, Sam and his sister co-lead a popular band, Sam and Louise Sullivan, that is receiving international attention. Their latest album, Love and Devotion, along with many other recordings, has been featured on WXPN and on radio stations across the country. 

Alex Levin '93 has chaired the English Department at GFS for 11 years. A graduate of GFS, Alex has studied with legendary faculty members including Anne Gerbner, Peter Reinke, and Al Clayton, amongst others. Alex currently teaches in Middle and Upper School. On weekends, very late at night, Alex can be found playing jazz piano with his band, The Alex Levin Trio. His group has been featured on WRTI and on radio stations across the country. Alex has a B.A. in English from Brown University and an MFA from Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College.

Time: 6:30-9 p.m. (Please note: This course is slightly longer to provide studio time.)
Instructors: Anne Gerbner and Caroline Santa

In this class, you will study artists and authors who share parallel practices or perspectives—and then create your own art and writing in an artist’s journal. During class, we will collaboratively read short texts by Sei Shōnagon, Gertrude Stein, Maggie Nelson, Harryette Mullen, and Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, and explore the techniques of Stanley Whitney, Emily Noyes Vanderpoel, Katsushika Hokusai, Titus Kaphar, and more.

Studio time will be spent experimenting with poetry, flash fiction, memoir, satire, color, watercolor, drawing, ink and paper, gold leaf, and paper arts such as marbling, weaving, and linocut. Students will be able to share their art and writing, and our focus will be on encouragement, not critique. You don’t need to be an artist or a writer to take this class! Just come with an open mind and enjoy experimenting with techniques in art and writing.

Past students are welcome to repeat this course, although there may be some overlapping material.

About the Teachers:
Anne Gerbner and Caroline Santa have enjoyed collaborating on several courses at GFS. A member of the GFS English Department for 30 years, Anne taught the Double Take Writing seminar and served as the chair of GFS’s English Department. Now that she’s retired from full-time teaching, she has time to write short fiction, take writing classes, and develop curricula on Japanese literature. Caroline Santa, a member of the Art Department, teaches Drawing and Painting and Foundation of Art. She has a background in printmaking and makes 2D mixed media drawings and paintings. Caroline was a founding member of the artist-run network of gallery spaces, Tiger Strikes Asteroid, and has shown her work nationally and internationally.

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Instructors: Dorothy Cary and Andrew Malkasian
Please note: This course will be offered in hybrid mode, with an in-person and online option.

In this class, we will study how Quakerism is not just a faith practice but a call to action and a means of engaging with the larger world. We will study Quaker history, from its origins to the modern-day, highlighting how the faith has inspired action from local grass-roots efforts to worldwide campaigns for peace and justice. We will also explore the remarkable practices of Quakerism and consider their particular meaning and relevance today.

About the Teachers:
Dorothy Cary and Andrew Malkasian have traveled together to England with the Friends Council on Education, joining a cohort studying the origins of Quakerism.  Dorothy, a GFS alum and current clerk of Germantown Monthly Meeting, was a member of the GFS History Department for many years and acted in various administrative capacities. She also taught Quakerism and founded significant curricular content on Quakerism for GFS. Andrew is a current member of the Upper School History Department who also teaches film and our required ninth grade Quakerism class. Andrew’s work as a historian focuses on Quakerism.