Students and faculty quietly entered Centennial Auditorium, the door closing softly behind them. A low, meditative hum filled the space. In the darkness, eyes adjusted as walls came alive with rotating galaxies and nebulae. Light drifted across faces. Color moved overhead. Sound and starlight wrapped around the audience, dissolving the boundary between observer and art. It Is That Deep wasn’t simply viewed; it was experienced.

The immersive experience, a highlight of Pomfret’s Winter Arts Experience, was inspired by exhibitions students had visited over the past year at the Mercantile Center in Worcester, Massachusetts — Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience in December 2024 and Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience this past November. When Art Department Head Lindsay Lehmann visited the Arte Museum in Las Vegas over Long Winter Weekend, she was determined to bring a similarly enchanting experience to the Hilltop.

Lehmann collaborated with Science Teacher and Olmsted Observatory Director Josh Lake to feature work from his Astrophotography II class. Students captured photons from distant stars and galaxies using Pomfret’s CCD cameras, then processed the images using Hubble-inspired palettes to reveal color, contrast, and detail — learning both technical skill and artistic expression while reflecting on our place in the universe.

Music added another layer to the journey. Music Teacher Mackenzie Christensen’s Music Production class composed a meditative soundtrack, guiding listeners through the visual projections and encouraging reflection and exploration. Each original piece was crafted, layered, and produced to complement the cosmic imagery, creating a cohesive sensory experience that encouraged the audience to drift, reflect, and explore.

“When considering our four arts experience sessions, we wanted to highlight the variety of our arts offerings. Ultimately, we designed one that created space — space to pause, to breathe, and to engage with creativity in a new way during an intense week of signature assessments,” says Lehmann. “By bringing together Astrophotography and Music Production, students discovered that disciplines that seem separate are deeply interconnected. The immersive experience invited them simply to be present — to wonder.”

The Winter Arts Showcase extended beyond It Is That Deep, offering multiple ways for students and faculty to engage with creativity that afternoon. In the auditorium, improvisation sessions invited participants to explore spontaneity and performance. Meanwhile, the Gallery at Jahn Reading Room featured student artwork on display, accompanied by performances from the Chamber Ensemble and The GriffTones. Across campus in Clark Chapel, The Frets brought contemporary music to life with their energetic set. Together, these experiences created a dynamic, multi-faceted celebration of imagination, collaboration, and the vibrant spirit of the Pomfret arts community.

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