Here’s the Deal — Alum Returns to Grow Arts Initiatives on Campus
Whether it’s a calm place to unwind with a craft or the sound of live music on a warm day, Savannah Deal ’18 believes in bringing art to all areas of campus life. After years of experience planning events and coordinating theater programs from New England to Charlotte, she returns to the Davidson Arts and Creative Engagement (DACE) team with a mission to inspire creativity.
A theatre major and DACE student fellow, most of Deal’s favorite memories of Davidson College involve the performing arts — the annual student-led production of Rocky Horror Picture Show remains a highlight. She also worked as the senior fellow alongside DACE Director Sherry Nelson, providing opportunities for students across all disciplines to tap into their creative sides.
“It was the best professional and creative experience I could have hoped for,” Deal said. “I saw how important it was for students to have space to create without the pressure to be perfect.”
Her fellowship included writing and reviewing Spike! Grants, offered to students of all majors pursuing extracurricular art projects. She also helped organize everything from mural painting to independent plays to students busking by the Chambers flagpole, which allowed Deal to develop a skill set she’d bring to her theatre production and management roles after graduating.
“Theatre is one of the most collaborative art forms,” she said. “It’s all about teamwork, storytelling and acknowledging the human condition. I think that skillset translates to a really helpful professional mindset. There can be a lot of different personalities in the arts. I’ve learned to be very team-oriented and to take everything with a sense of humor.”
Managing larger theatre groups, Deal began to miss working directly with students. Watching the rapid expansion of DACE and the introduction of the DACE Studio, she knew Davidson was a place ripe for growth and community building.
Deal on a trip to the San Diego Museum of Art
As the departmental coordinator for DACE and the Dance Department, Deal’s new role allows her to explore different art initiatives across campus. The studio is a revolving door of creativity. Professors bring their classes for academic projects, and students take watercolor classes, learn to mend clothing and host paint-and-sip nights.
On a personal level, Deal is inspired by students’ interest in sustainability through legacy arts like sewing and collaging. She received a sewing machine for her birthday this year and looks forward to learning alongside them.
“Creativity begets creativity,” she said. “I’m excited to be surrounded by students with incredible ideas and talents. Creative flow impacts everyone in the room and, by extension, everyone on campus.”
Returning to Davidson six years after graduating puts Deal in a position to see the impact of the college’s continued investment in the arts. As student interest increases, the DACE Studio has expanded its hours of operation, and new events fill the calendar each week. Deal especially looks forward to empowering students to launch their own creative projects.
“Coming back to campus means stepping into a second chapter at Davidson,” she said. “This time, it’s refreshing and rewarding to feel like a supporting character in the students’ journeys.”