By Campbell Kirtley ’27

If you asked me as a kid what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would have said something like, “Don’t talk to me about that, I have no idea, I’m only seven;” the idea of finding a career or an occupational vocation, even when framed in the language of a “dream job” has always scared me to death. It feels so massive, and permanent, and who am I to say what I want? 

It’s of course ironic then, that I’ve found my way to the Nourishing Vocation Project (NVP). I still hold a lot of baby Campbell’s uncertainty when it comes to what I’ll do after college, but I’ve grown in my willingness to engage with that uncertainty. Since coming to St. Olaf, I’ve even sought out people and communities thinking about spirituality and vocation, and I’ve come to view those things as places for experimentation and learning rather than amorphous decisions that inform every aspect of my life from here on out, no-take-backs. 

I still hold a lot of baby Campbell’s uncertainty when it comes to what I’ll do after college, but I’ve grown in my willingness to engage with that uncertainty

One of the most exciting avenues that is emerging for me in this journey toward embracing the unknown has been art. I’ve been playing instruments and making music since I can remember, but I’ve never considered myself an artist. In fact my drawing capabilities are limited to stick figures and checkerboard doodles in the margins of my notebooks. Perhaps due to my lack of natural talent, I wrote off art as something not-for-me. This makes it particularly freeing now that I’ve started using art as a tool for engaging with spirituality and combatting my inclination toward perfectionism.

Art and Soul is the name of my NVP passion project, and it’s a weekly craft circle – with a twist! Every Tuesday from 6:30-7:30pm in the DiSCO Cave (the makerspace in Rolvaag), I’m hosting a new art activity in conjunction with a relevant mindfulness exercize. The goal is to practice intentionality and mindfulness through playful artistic experimentation. While some topics may center around thinking about our individual or personal vocations, making art is in and of itself a part of vocation, especially when it is done with community. I want to foster a space that is intentional, playful, and student oriented – an invitation to engage with others and with yourself in a creative, mindful way, regardless of artistic talent or inclination. Whether you’re looking for an opportunity to reflect, engage with the wider Olaf community, or even just some free craft supplies, all are welcome!

The views in the post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lutheran Center or St. Olaf College.