On September 12, Ariel of Jersey opened at the Anne Reid ’72 Gallery at Princeton Day School. This beautiful, vibrant exhibit explored and featured the works of Ariel Runvinsky ’08, a graduate of Princeton Day School. Runvinsky sadly passed away in 2024, after battling a long-term illness, and this exhibit paid homage to her work and art throughout her lifetime. The gallery celebrated her never-ending creativity and imagination by displaying different types of art pieces in the collection, such as textiles, wearable works, and even personal notes and pieces from her childhood.
Gwen Shockey, the Gallery Curator and Fine Arts teacher at PDS, wanted visitors to feel Ariel’s passion for her work and access her mind. She noted, “Despite living a short life, Ariel was deeply passionate and driven,” two important qualities visitors can admire and learn from. Ms. Shockey continued, “Ariel brought so many of her interests—from folklore to mysticism and historical research—into her fashion and her art. She showed us how many ways there are to think and explore visually.”
When curating the gallery, Ms. Shockey originally met with Ariel’s mother and sister, asking them about who exactly Ariel was, ranging from her inspirations to her education. Using this information, she organized the gallery into several themes: Beginnings, Pursuit of Craft, The Hermit, In the Studio, Collaborations and Community, and Fashion and Function. By displaying different works from different points in Ariel’s life, Ms. Shockey ensured that Ariel’s legacy would be honored and that anyone who steps into the gallery would be able to connect with Ariel through her art.
The Anne Reid ’72 Gallery at PDS is a special place where the work of new, diverse artists is presented at different times of the year, exposing people to new ideas and art. In the words of Ms. Shockey: “We get to listen to and see stories from so many different backgrounds and experiences, which help us develop empathy and compassion, making us better stewards in society.” Sophomore Silver Zhang wholeheartedly agreed with this sentiment. “Whenever I visit the gallery, there’s always a new show, and it excites me to see all the amazing artists and art there is in the world.”
Ariel of Jersey is an exhibit that shows that you don’t just need words to tell someone’s story. By having her art displayed, Runvinsky’s memory lives on, and her impact is shared with new people who wouldn’t have known her story otherwise. Art is more than just a creation—it is a legacy, a connection, and truly one of the best storytellers we have.
