Trenton Lessett

Photos courtesy of Ariel Sabrina Brigmann

To our photo community—

It is with great sadness that I share with the Photo and Imaging department and ArtCenter Community, the news I received this week about one of our revered alum.  I used to think there were no words that appropriately expressed the sense of loss we feel with the passing of a loved one or friend.  Over the years I have come to learn that, in a way, there are actually many very important words that need to be shared with and between friends, family and community. 

Trenton Lessett graduated with honors from our department in the Summer of 2018.  From my vantage point, in the fifteen years that I have been the chair, I have seen few who worked as hard as Trent.  Faculty must often encourage their students to work harder and take education and their careers more seriously.  I never had to encourage Trent to work harder.  In fact, Trent always took the initiative to start the conversation about what his education could mean and how he might find the right place in his career.  He had a big heart and was always searching for how best to balance creativity, technology and career.  I know that we shared some very special moments talking about life and learning, and exploring a variety of ideas about what he could do after graduation.

I remember telling Trent that I wasn’t worried about him.  The world is always looking for a person who likes to work, and that it was more important for him to find the work that he loved.   Trent never shied away from the best way of doing something and was always ready to share with others.  When our paths crossed at Venice Arts last year, I was so happy to see he had joined their staff.  He found his next community, and the organization found him to be a remarkable asset to their mission.  I spoke to the director and she shared how much they had come to rely on him.  I will never forget Trent, and I think everyone who knew him feels much the same.

In this time of the global health crisis, we are inundated with numbers and information.  Trenton was not a number and was not a victim of the virus, but his passing was a reminder for me that no one is a number.  We all need to know that everyone is someone’s friend, father, mother, brother, sister, nephew, niece, and that people are still the most critical part of our world.

In closing, I want to remind everyone to look for ways to recognize and support all the people that have been working in this crisis in medical centers and hospitals, as well as the volunteers that support them. 

Please stay safe, be smart, and act responsibly.

Dennis

Dennis Keeley, Chair, Photography & Imaging