I was there for the graduation (my daughter, the painter!). Waters’ address was terrific. Not only did it inspire the graduates, the really amazing part was the reaction of some parents and grandparents attending. Not at all what they expected.
I attended a party for another graduate after. Virtually all of the adults were expressing grave concern for these graduates. When I expressed both pride and admiration for the graduates and strong optimism for their future most just shook their heads and commented that they didn’t know how they’d ever get a real job.
To which, I pointed out, there are no safe jobs or careers anymore. Better to be in the arts. And, as it is often pointed out, RISD grads are some of the top creative problem solvers in almost every industry and business.
