March 25, 2026

Every Hamilton student in recent decades has heard the words, ‘Be Here Now’ during their orientation trip. While the whole world pulses and pushes, attempting to steal our focus and attention, the words that are considered most valuable to those entering our Clinton community are a reminder that no matter the storm that is raging, it is vital to keep a part of you here, in the present. 

Between the Wellin Museum’s staff, docents, and even our visiting artists, our mission is the same. This semester the Wellin has already been host to countless Hamilton class tours, K-12 Visits, Wellin Kids events, and special programming, all designed to be an accessible manner by which any individual can take a moment to slow down, to engage with art, to create, and to be present in their moment. 

On Monday, February 23rd, the Wellin Museum assisted The Black and Latine Student Union (BLSU) and the Feminists of Color Collective (FCC) in hosting an open studio as a part of BLSU’s Black History Month programming. Beginning with an artwalk through Another World and Yet the Same, the exhibition of our current artist, Jamea Richmond Edwards, visitors explored Black identity as portrayed by Jamea, taking a glimpse at her Detroit roots. After engaging with concepts of identity, joy, and artistic medium, visitors proceeded to make their own ‘Mini Me’, or self-portrait fabric doll, immersing themselves in their present moment, who they are now. Understanding identity reminds us who we once were and who we will become, giving us agency to enact change in our present. Beyond identity, this event was not only a gathering of community and creativity, but also a reminder to those engaging in celebration and remembrance during Black History Month that artmaking is a vital element of any movement, just as it is vital to any community.

On Saturday, March 7th, the Wellin Museum hosted artist Nirbhai (nep) Singh Sidhu and the UK-based arts organization without SHAPE without FORM (wSwF) in concert at the Wellin Hall in the Schambach Center at Hamilton College. The performance began with introductions from the Wellin’s own Alexander Jarman, the artist, Nep Sidhu, and a representative from wSwF, Deep Kailey. Their call was for Total Response and nothing less, demanding that the audience Be Here Now, and reminding us of how rare being fully present has become. These speakers continued on to inform us that the goal of the performance was to erase the conventional border which separates the audience from the performer. Furthermore, a recording of the concert would be recorded and played from an omnidirectional tower upon entry to the 2027-2028 exhibition Awakened by the Unstruck in collaboration between the Wellin Museum, Nep Sidhu, and wSwF. 

After these three introductions, the lights brightened to three figures on stage surrounded by a large diversity of instruments, with Nirankar Object in the Sound of Ek, an object made by Nep Sidhu in the Wellin’s collection, in the foreground, and a tapestry piece, Song for My Father in the Tune of My Mother hanging in the background. The performance began, bringing together sound with Simran, a focused practice of the mind rooted in contemporary Sikh philosophy. The performance was led by ‘Koi’ the Punjabi name for the non-entity who repeated Waheguru throughout the entire performance, meditating on concepts of truth and love. The effect between Koi and the eventual six other performers was mesmerizing, as the audience followed the peaks and valleys of the performance, aware that they were hearing a performance of true masters in improvisation, and one that could never be repeated, requiring each individual to Be Here Now. 

Between BLSUxFCC’s open studio, to the Total Response concert, and the immense amount of Wellin educational programming in between, I have had countless opportunities to practice art, education, but most of all being present. My hope is by the end of reading this, you can answer the question, what does it mean to be here now? If you still feel like you cannot, come stop by the Wellin and find out.