As part of their Maymester course “Discovering the Arts in Atlanta and the South,” a group of Upper School students explored an international installation at Emory University’s Michael C. Carlos Museum that includes works by other WA students.

Woodward Academy is the only school in the United States represented in “Compassion: What Moves You?” at the Carlos Museum. The "Youth Voices” section of the installation, features the work of Woodward students alongside student work from around the world. 

“It’s a powerful testament to how we intentionally weave compassion into our curriculum and culture,” said Jennifer Knox, the Academy’s Director of Character Education and Ron M. Brill Chair of Ethical Leadership and a curator of the exhibit. “Woodward’s  inclusion highlights our role as a global leader in character education and features student-led creative work supported by our visual arts instructors at each of the five schools.”

During their visit, students in the Maymester course led by Upper School teachers Jane Graham and Lorri Hewett, viewed “Youth Voices” and experienced the work of artists from around the world, including Shingo Kanagawa, whose photography series explores his relationship with his often-absent father and his deep desire to connect with him. The exhibit also included an interactive experience, “INOCHI THEATER: If Your Life Were Light,” by Japanese artist collective ARu, Inc., which uses light and the sounds of heartbeats to reveal our common humanity and interdependence.

Another section of the “Compassion” exhibit focused on the life of Richard Moore, who was blinded at age 10 during the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and, years later, forgave the soldier who shot him. Moore married, had children, became a successful businessman, and founded the organization Children in Crossfire. Earlier in the semester, a group of Middle School students visited the exhibition and met Moore when he traveled to Emory to give the Nix-Mann Endowed Lecture accompanying the “Compassion” exhibit.

Maymester students also found personal connection to works in the “Compassion” exhibit from the Carlos Museum’s permanent collection— by artists Danny Lyon, Manjari Sharma, Kristin Capp, and José Ibarra Rizo, among others. 

One student, Xavier Wilson ’27, said he came away with a profound appreciation for artwork and looked forward to continuing the Maymester course, which also will include visits to the High Museum and Trillith Studios, as well as an opportunity to meet alumni author Rachel Taff ’10. Her first novel “Paper Cut” was published by HarperCollins in January 2026.

“I love art, simply put,” Xavier said. “Art is in everything. You look at these pictures, and you see the deep meaning behind them. Art is the foundation of our lives. Art is life, and life is art.”