From Passion to Purpose: Sydney Kaplan '28 Explores Inclusive Art Education

At Morristown Beard School, student passion projects often evolve into meaningful experiences that extend beyond the classroom. For Sydney Kaplan ‘28, that journey took shape through an independent study in art and interior design at Friendship Circle NJ’s LifeTown, a simulated “town” and immersive learning environment designed for individuals with special abilities. LifeTown offers real-world style settings where participants can practice life skills, build independence, and engage in inclusive social experiences. Within this environment, Sydney used creativity as a way to foster connection, accessibility, and inclusion.

 

 

Sydney has long been drawn to art and interior design, but she said her perspective shifted through her volunteer work with Friendship Circle. What started as a personal creative interest grew into something more intentional and service-oriented.

 

“I’ve always been interested in art and interior design, but my experience volunteering at Friendship Circle really inspired me to turn that into something far more meaningful,” Sydney shared. “I saw how art could help people connect and feel more comfortable, especially in an inclusive environment.”

 

That experience ultimately led her to design an independent study where she could develop and lead art-based lessons for participants at LifeTown, focusing on both engagement and accessibility.

 

Rather than following a rigid structure, Sydney built flexibility into each lesson from the beginning. She quickly learned that no two sessions would unfold the same way, and that success often depended less on sticking to a plan and more on responding to the needs of the students in the moment.

 

Small adjustments often made the biggest difference. In one lesson, students worked with mirrors covered in a protective film. Instead of fully removing the film, which could be difficult for some participants, Sydney modified the activity by peeling up a corner and adding a small tape tab. This allowed students to remove the film independently and participate more comfortably.

 

She said moments like that helped her understand how thoughtful design choices can directly impact independence and confidence.

 

“The most challenging part of leading my own classes was realizing that not every lesson would go as planned, and that every student has different needs and learns in different ways,” Sydney said.

 

That realization shifted how she approached each class. Instead of focusing on sticking to a strict timeline, she prioritized engagement, allowing students to move at their own pace and adjusting activities in real time based on their needs.

 

One of the most memorable lessons Sydney designed was called “Feelings Monsters,” an activity where students used clay to create characters inspired by different emotions. It also introduced clay as a new material, making the session especially hands-on and exploratory.

 

What stood out to Sydney was how naturally the activity supported emotional expression. Students were not just building figures, but also exploring how feelings could be represented visually and creatively. “There was almost a hidden lesson behind the activity,” she said. “While the students were just having fun creating their monsters, they were also learning how to identify and express their emotions.”

 

 

Reflecting on the experience, Sydney said her independent study changed how she thinks about both creativity and working with others. It reinforced the importance of planning, flexibility, and empathy when designing inclusive experiences.

 

It also strengthened her interest in interior design, particularly in how spaces themselves can influence comfort, independence, and belonging.

 

“I realized how important planning and flexibility are, and how much of an impact creativity can have on building confidence and connections with others,” Sydney said. “I can definitely see myself continuing to work with others through art.”

 

Through her work at LifeTown, Sydney turned artistic exploration into something more meaningful and applied, using small design choices and creative lessons to help build an environment rooted in inclusion, expression, and connection.

 

𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙤𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙏𝙤𝙬𝙣.