Hoop Jammin’

Photo by Jason Stilgebouer

Photo by Jason Stilgebouer

On the gorgeous day of May 3 on the lawn behind Tishman Hall, painting instructor Sarah Stolar blasted funky-fresh tunes and decorated the ground with hula hoops, flow poi, yoga mats and the most heavenly back massager-stretcher-thing this writer has ever experienced.

Santa Fe University of Art and Design students, guests and a few children gathered on the green space swinging poi around, stretching and rolling hoops every which way on every limb as they enjoyed the clear skies and tender breeze. Some basked in the sunshine and some relaxed under the shade trees, watching each other trying out hooping techniques learnt from Stolar. During this tumultuous semester and days after the “Manhattan” set inferno, everyone was happy to let loose and laugh.

“It’s a beautiful day and it’s a lot of fun to have the community out here hoop jammin’,” said studio arts student Marilyn Marquis at the event. It was the first time Marquis ever tried hooping, and she was having fun practicing the moves Stolar showed the group.

Photo by Jason Stilgebouer

Photography students Juli Patel and Selena Vallejos were also having a blast outside with their friends and classmates, though they were dubious about their own hooping abilities. “I really like hula-hooping! The last time I hula-hooped was a few weeks ago, and then after that few years ago. But like, now that I’m aware, I need to hula-hoop more often,” Patel admitted. “But I like watching everybody else learn.”

Photo by Jason Stilgebouer

Vallejos’ story was similar: “I haven’t hula-hooped in like five years. I haven’t done any of [the tricks Stolar was teaching] but it’s cool watching her.” Both girls expressed how awesome it was that Stolar was teaching everyone moves and how fun the event was.

Stolar herself, who was an avid hooper and performer back when she lived in the Bay area, was more than happy to bring all her props for everyone to enjoy. “Since the school was closing and there was a lot of bad news, it’s kind of known that hula-hooping—and flow arts in general—bring community together, raises your endorphins, makes you smile; you’re playing with toys and it’s fun. So I just wanted to give a party for everyone to come together and remember they’re a community and be happy in the sun and the outside.”

Her efforts were certainly a success, and the image of students smiling and playing together was a heartwarming way to end the semester.