Stuart senior leads Kintsugi workshop in honor of Paul Robeson and AAPI Heritage Month

“Every crack reveals our strength. Every scar tells a story. Embracing these cracks allows us not only to heal ourselves, but also to become sources of healing and compassion—and become the gold in someone’s life.” - Amanda '25

In honor of Paul Robeson Week and the upcoming AAPI Heritage Month, Amanda Guadalupe ’25 led a meaningful Kintsugi workshop for Upper School students. As an Artist Affiliate for the 2024 Paul Robeson Scholars & Fellows Program with The Paul Robeson House of Princeton, Amanda created an opportunity for students to reflect on the beauty of imperfection and the strength that comes from healing.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Amanda first learned about the practice from Dr. Muoio last year, and the concept stayed with her. Almost serendipitously, she later came across an old ceramic piece from class—one she couldn’t bring herself to part with, despite its fractures. She tested the Kintsugi technique and was deeply inspired by the result.

“Not only was I able to repair the first piece I ever made in ceramics, but the final product was even more beautiful than before, as the gold embedded in the cracks was breathtaking. That experience made me realize what a powerful message this art form carries, and I wanted to share it with others.”

When designing the workshop for her peers, Amanda drew a powerful connection between Kintsugi and the legacy of Paul Robeson—a scholar, All-American athlete, actor, musician, and fearless activist for racial justice.

In her words:

“Beyond the artistic practice itself, this workshop would offer students a meaningful way to reflect on resilience, healing, and the strength that comes from embracing imperfection. I see this as deeply connected to Paul Robeson’s mission—transforming struggle into strength, honoring the past while forging a future of greater unity and purpose. The more I look at my restored piece, the more I believe that at its core, this idea is about more than just art. While we cannot change the past, we can confront it with both reverence and determination, using what we’ve learned to create something new—something more resilient, more beautiful, and more enduring.”

Students left the workshop with a one-of-a-kind work of art and the enduring message that “imperfections aren’t flaws; they are unique marks of character and beauty.” Just days later, Amanda was invited to be a guest speaker at the Multimedia Celebration for the Paul Robeson House of Princeton, where she honored Robeson’s legacy and shared her original poem, Silence to Sound.

Amanda’s leadership, artistry, and voice continue to reflect Stuart’s mission to cultivate purpose-driven leaders who use their gifts to uplift others.