Haggis Baggis 2026 Grad Issue

HAGGIS BAGGIS GRADUATION ISSUE

Tribute to Grier Torrence & the Class of 2026

Daisies & Departure

By Serena Song Spring creeping in,

Not with blossoms first, but with a quiet knowing a chill that loosens, a light that stays a little longer. It signifies the end of the year coming, the slow closing of a chapter no one reads aloud. Seniors will graduate, their laughter still echoing down hallways, backpacks slung over shoulders one last time, keys kept as small, memorable souvenirs They will grow into mature daisies called “ancients” weary at the edges, wise at the core, their petals no longer soft but shaped by wind and waiting On the campus filled with laughter that will soon go away, there is a strange hollowness in every goodbye Farewells tucked into the corners of coffee cups, hugs that last a breath too long, and the sound of suitcases rolling toward gates that only open one way. But sadness here is not the end. It is the soil. Because when the last senior turns at the gate, when the campus grows quiet as a held breath spring has another job.

New faces will arrive, nervous and bright, backpacks too heavy, eyes too wide, asking where the library is, what the dining hall serves on Tuesdays, if they will ever find their people. And they will.

Because the next time everyone comes together, it will be a new adventure, still on this lovely place where windows have watched a hundred first days and doors have closed on a hundred last nights. The benches remember. The tree knows

The lecture halls hum with voices that have faded and voices not yet born Here, education will pass on forever not as a relic, but as a cycle: loss braided with arrival, grief threaded into growth, each graduation a root, each orientation a bloom. So let the seniors go. Let them become ancients in a world that needs their weathering. And let the new ones stumble in, fresh as spring rain, already beginning to forget that once, they too will have to leave.

Because that is the quiet miracle of this place: every ending is a planting. And every autumn, something comes back not the same, but alive.

Grier Torrence has been a presence on campus that cannot be undermined... he has seen generations of artist students who have entered the world under his guidance Haggis Baggis is honored to present students' works that have been shaped by Grier and the art department on campus

In his retirement in Spring 2026, Haggis Baggis dedicated this issue to him and the class of 2026 In this legacy and influence on campus, may creativity forever last, and Porter’s remain as a realm where all creatives are welcomed and can grow.

---- The Haggis Baggis Team

Life and Work at Porter’s: An Interview with Grier Torrence

by Feiling (Claire) Shen

WhatmadeyouchoosetostayandbuildalifeatPorter’s?

JustthatIlikeditalot Imetmywifeherethefirstyear Weweremarriedthefirstsummerafterourfirstyear,andmy daughterswerebornin2003and2005 Sowithinmyfirstsixyearsorso,IbegantohaveawholelifeinFarmington It's aboutthestudentsandworkinginthestudio,butit'salsoaboutbeingpartofthecommunity

Doyouthinkit'sreallydifferentfromwhenyouwereinNewYorkearlierinyourcareer?Howwouldyoudescribe itasdifferent?

Ithasbeengreatlydifferent WhenIgotoutofgraduateschoolanddidsomecollegeteaching,andthenafewyearslater movedtoNewYork,Ihadasmallapartmentandpaintedallthetime Iwastheclassicartistinagarret,livingverysimply AndoneofthenicethingsaboutbeinghereatPorter’sisthestabilityofacareerasateacher,whichisgoodformywork andfortheworkofmystudents

Lookingatyourart,IsensethatFarmingtonhasacontinuousinfluenceonyourwork.I’mcurious,ifitdoes,how thePorterorFarmingtoncommunityhasimpactedyourwork?

Asageographicplace,it'sjustbeautiful.IthinkofRobertBrandegee,whowastheartteacherinthetimeofSarahPorter, andhewrotealittlepoemabouthowFarmingtonwascreatedfromthedustinthecupofGod.It'sverybeautiful,andithas beenpartofmyworkalot.I'vepaintedmanycanvasesoutside.AndwhenI'mmakingthingsupinthestudio,I'mstill oftenreferringtospaceshere,theriver,theMountainRoadarea,thecampusitself,thetreeshere. Forexample,IdidapaintingfromthelittlecupolaaboveMainjustlastyear.IspentmonthsuptherewheneverIhadafew minutes,andIdidapaintinglookingupMountainRoadandalongMainStreet.It'saviewI'vepaintedseveraltimesover theyears,butIpainteditagainlastyear,allonlocation

Therehasbeenaverydistinctcharacteristictothestudio.Howdidyoubuildthatup?Aftersomanyyears,what elementsdoyouthinkdefinethestudionow?

WhenIinterviewedtoteachatPorter’s,theartteacherwhowasteachingpaintinganddrawingwasBradChoyt,andBrad hadactuallybeenastudentofoneofmyfriendsfromYale IlikedBrad,andhe,Ithink,likedme Weusedtotalkabout thatcornerinthestudiowhereheusedtowork,andIstartedworkingafterwards Sotherewasalwaysthisparticularvibe aboutthatnorthwestareaofthestudio AndsoIsortofbuiltoutfromthere

OneofthethingsIdidovertheyearswastoreplaceallthemetaleaselswithwoodeneasels Ialsowantedtohavestudents arrangedinacircle,andsotheeaselswereplacedthatway Thegeraniumsinthestudioareveryimportanttome,foralot ofreasons Itcreatesagoodenvironment Thatwasmyfirstgoalasateacher:tomakeaplacethatfeelsconduciveto creativity.

ComingtoPorter’s,youcarriedalotofknowledgefromarthistory,andyouwerealsogreatlyengagedinthe galleriesandartcirclesinNewYork.Howdoyoukeepthataspectfrombecomingsomethingthatlimitsthe students,butstillreallyhelpsthemwiththatkindofexperience?

IthinkI'mluckythatIwasabletoliveinNewYorkfor11yearsandworkforoneofthebestgalleriesinManhattan.Ijust feellikethatvitality,thatauthenticartworldelement,isimportanttothestudents.Itmakesstudyingartmorethanjusta subject,becausetheycanseethatitisalife,alivelihood,abusiness,andaculturalcontributiontosociety.Ithinkthose aspectsoftheartworldmakeartfeelmorereal Andit'sexciting,it'sfun

OveryourtimeatPorter’s,howdoyouthinkPorter’shaschanged,eitherinagoodwayorifthere'sanythinglost duringthatevolution?

Alothaschanged,andalothasstayedthesame.Ithinkthethingsthathavestayedthesamearethetraditions,the networkofstudents,andtheamazingqualityofstudentsandfaculty.Ithinkallofthatisconsistent.

Whathaschangedisthatwehadamajorrevolutionaround2012,thedigitalrevolution,andthewayAIandthecomputer haveshapedwherewearenow WedohaveKateWindsorandTimQuinninparticular,whoaresuperinformedaboutit Sowereallyareaprogressiveschool,andwearealreadyinaverydifferentplacethanwewereevensixorsevenyears ago

Asyoustepawayfromteaching,whatdoyouhopethiscurrentstudentbodyorthewholeartcommunityat Porter’scarrieson?Ordoyouhaveanymessageforthecommunity?

MyfirstthoughtisthatIwouldliketoseetheartsfacultycontinuetobeapracticinggroup,stillbeingpeoplewho activelymakeart Toremainactiveintheirownpracticessotheyhavealevelofempathyandawarenessthattranslates directlytothestudentexperience

ButmysecondthoughtisthatIhopewecontinueintegratingwiththeinterdisciplinarydirectionoftheschool Thearts needtobeinterwovenanddovetailedwithalltheotherdisciplines.

ArethereanypivotalstoriesormomentsthathappenedinyourlifebeforeyoucametoPorter’s?Itcouldbeabout storiesorpeopleyouwanttoshare.

Thethingthatcomestomindmostlyisaboutmyteachers.I'vereallybeenblessedwithalotofgreatpeople,andIthink ofthemalot.Rightfromthebeginningofmylifewithart,whenIwasinboardingschoolandthencollegeandgraduate schoolandlaterintheprofessionalworld,therewerepeoplewhowereverygenerousandveryimpactful.

Myboardingschoolartteacherwasreallyimportanttome Ithinkthat'satimewhenit'sgreattohavesomebodywho believesinyou,whothinksalittledifferentlythantheotherfaculty,understandswhereyou'reat,andsupportsyou Ithinkthatiswhatyoudidformyartaswell.AndIbelievealotofstudentsandancientsatPorter’shavefeltthat too.Thankyoufortheinterview.

You'rewelcome

Students’ words for Grier

Ivy Hannich ’26

“Grier is super supportive and one of the best listeners I've met He is incredibly thoughtful about getting to know each student as an individual, which makes his classroom environment such an open and safe space. Talking to him is always so grounding, and I really admire his balance between giving students the guidance they need in class while also giving them space to create as artists. This teaching style has made learning and creating in studio art so fun for me. I feel like anyone can truly learn so much from Grier ”

“When Grier was my teacher here at Porter's he was genuinely so sweet, kind and open to anything! I struggled a lot throughout the class (as I am not very artistic), but he reassured me and helped me grow. I love Grier so much!!!”

Katie Lee ’28

“You’ve helped me improve so much on my art journey and taught me so much. I couldn’t have completed some of my paintings with pride without your guidance I’m so sad that you ’ re leaving Porters, but I know all the hard work you put in for others makes your retirement well deserved. Your impact on me and others will not be in vain.”

Hannah Rizk ’27

“I never considered myself a painter, and I still don't, but Grier fostered such a welcoming environment in the art studio, and I always felt comfortable going there outside of class to work on either a piece for my class, or just something I was painting for fun. He was always willing to give feedback and advice, and without Grier and his Studio Art 1 class, I would have never realized how much I love painting and I never would've realized that it could be a stress-free and calming activity.”

“Although I have only known Grier this past trimester, he is a kind and amazing teacher He always keeps a safe environment during class and I'm sad to see him go. ”

Avery Keefe ’27

“I truly loved having you as a teacher this year and I am so grateful how much you have helped the community. I loved talking to you about art, crew, and everything else. Thank you for all that you have done!”

“Grier is a grounding presence. Whenever I am having a bad day, the art room is the first place that I think of going Whether or not Grier is in there, his essence covers the art room, making the room a safe, beautiful, calming space for everyone. Grier is the most softly spoken, gentle being to ever exist. He always makes everyone feel seen and always remembers small things about me and others that I didn't even remember about myself The art program will never be the same without him, and he will be missed so much.”

“Thanks so much for being my studio art teacher this year! I loved getting to know you and you've helped given me so much more confidence in my artwork and helped me hone specific skills! I always loved how you were so laid back and made me really excited to come to class everyday for something other than the painting!!!”

“Thank you for allowing me to find a joy in painting that I had never been able to find before.”

A Farewell to Haggis

Haggis Baggis is something I never imagined I would become so deeply tangled up in before coming to Porter’s. To be honest, I never considered myself the typical “artsy” type. But I am so glad I decided to dip into it with the simple goal of trying something new. I liked writing, I had made some art, and so I thought, why not submit?

That small decision began an unexpected journey From writer, to literary editor, to coeditor-in-chief, my bond with Haggis Baggis only deepened over the years. Somewhere along the way, it became my precious “baby,” something I cared for, worried over, and felt incredibly proud to watch grow with every issue.

Honestly, I grew alongside the magazine. With the help of my talented co-editor and layout editors, Claire and Wilder, I learned layout, design, and the many tiny details that go into making each issue feel alive. We spent so many Friday nights sitting in Starbucks, the common room, or the dining hall, deciding on aesthetics, moving pieces around, and trying to make everything feel right.

Thank you to the amazing section editors who always finished their edits with care and in such a timely fashion Thank you to every artist and writer who put up with my constant greetings of, “Can you submit?” every time I saw you. Looking back, there are so many memories I will carry with me: editor meetings filled with laughter, HB photoshoots, our end-of-year celebrations, and the feeling of satisfaction when each issue was finally published and distributed in the dining hall.

Haggis Baggis became more than just a magazine to me It became a place where I learned to trust my ideas, collaborate with others, and see the beauty in both writing and visual art. It gave me a creative home at Porter’s, and in many ways, it helped me grow into the person I am today.

As I leave Porter’s, I am sad to leave Haggis Baggis behind. But I also feel grateful, because I know I am leaving it in good hands I have so much faith in the editors, artists, and writers who will continue to help it flourish.

I will miss Haggis Baggis. I will miss Porter’s. And I will always be proud to have been part of something so special.

Signing out, Your 25-26 Editor-in-Chief, Yulisa Ma

Looking ahead to college, I hope to continue creative writing and explore more genres and styles, (novels & screenwriting for example). I even hope to dip into photography and filmmaking. I want to keep engaging with literary and art magazines,whether as a writer or editor. Haggis Baggis taught me that art and writing do not have to belong only to one type of person They are for anyone willing to try and share

Check out my current work on medium: https://medium.com/@yulisama0108

Wilder Mahoney Layout Editor 25-26

Words to Porter’s:

For the most part I enjoy two mediums of art: the more menial and meditative forms like repetitive yarn work (ie crochet or embroidery), the fluid cutting and pasting of collaging, and at times simplified landscape painting I also enjoy drawing portraits and studying shadows and forms on human faces I think people’s faces - the more candid and imperfect the better - are super exciting and interesting subject matter

I think that people should push the boundaries more and not let classes or advice put you or your “artistic vision” into a box, and I think thinking there are rights and wrongs can be a difficult hurdle to overcome but is worth attacking Additionally, good poetry will always rock your world if you let it.

Editor’s Notes to HB

I’ve learned a lot about layout editing, graphic design, and the value of fluidity and theme through working with such lovely head editors. I am very lucky to have been able to work with everyone and I really respect you guys. :)

Plans for College:

Working with this team on such a wicked project really opened my eyes to how collaboration and art can work together and create such awesome pieces like this year’s issues In college I hope that I can find similar spaces in which to work together with my peers and create art and projects like Haggis Baggis – aka if my school doesn’t have an art magazine

I’m totally making one

Liv Minnehan

Literary Editor 2024-26

For reasons beyond my knowledge, writing has always been my "schtick" ever since I was young, and because of that I feel like there's a lot of expectation for me to be a good writer, which makes me not want to write because I feel like I have nothing to gain and everything to lose since I'm just fulfilling a pre-existing expectation. So I write when I need to and I hide from it otherwise. But even when I am doing my bare minimum writing, I remember how much I love it and how important it is to me I hope in the future I can reconnect with writing for myself, rather than other people

Editor’s Notes to HB

There are a lot of screenshots of group chats that I'll cherish forever No, on a more genuine note, I'm really grateful to Haggis Baggis because it really inspires me to keep creating. Junior year, I interviewed a few senior writers about their art, and their words still haunt my narrative to this day Like honestly I think about them when I'm getting frustrated trying to write a sonnet or something.

Words to Porter’s

Art doesn't have to be that deep It also doesn't have to be good. And not even in a "you'll get good by making bad stuff" way; it is genuinely so important to have bad art in the world

Plans for College

I'm going to major in English, so I hope I'll continue engaging with writing in an artistic way and not in a cog-in-the-capitalist-machine, copywriting way, but I can't say how much the California rent prices are going to fundamentally change me as a person. I would love to take a lot of creative writing classes and hopefully submit pieces to student publications?

Eighteen Liv Minnehan

Today, I sat in a gazebo and had nothing to talk about. It was odd. The weather was perfect for talking, I had two great friends with me and an eventful week behind me.

And yet, I didn’t want to talk. What’s there to talk about, even? I mean, we ’ re all here. We’re all feeling lots of feelings and doing lots of things that need, or don’t need, doing. I’m doing things now the way I was doing things a week ago and four months ago and six years ago And it’s just one person, I’m the person timing things and doing things and talking things

It all just doesn’t make sense. The time and the doing, the counting and the waiting, the people and the me person who is waiting and counting and doing and timing and the whole time, there’s weather and not me people and oh, look, there’s time again, and again there’s time and there’s time again, and today in me this person doing the counting the waiting, there’s also a slight breeze. So I sit in the gazebo. And I don’t talk. It’s a nice day.

MELISSA MA

Words to Porter’s

Keep doing art, you wouldn't know how important it is to you until there's no chance to do it anymore. Never stop chasing after the "beautiful!"

Editor’s Notes to HB ART EDITOR

2024-26

I've always known that art would be a crucial part of my life, but I never would’ve expected it to grow in the way it has in the past four years. From making my own canvas for the first time, to creating pieces that combined my passion for multiculturalism, to having a revelation about modern art on the bus back from a NYC Art Trip, to then accidentally beginning a passion for creative writing in Iowa, or joining Dance Ensemble senior spring, my art journey surprised me in many ways: thrilling, confusing, delightful, or motivating. But looking back now, I feel more than just the passion I’ve always had for art, but security. Art is the proof that humanity is drawn to beauty. No matter through poetry, painting, dance, or photos, I know I will always chase after the beautiful things in life

Being the art editor for the past two years, I've learned to appreciate not only the diversity of arts but also the diversity of ways in which the arts need to be supported. Haggis Baggis gives student artists the flexibility and freedom to express what they love.

Plans for College

I plan to join the Melange: A Journal of Prose Poetry and the Arts and the Princeton Art Museum Student Advisory Board.

HazelGuthrie

Filmmaking

I stumbled into film almost by accident. In my sophomore year, my grandma signed me up for a photography class, but because not enough students enrolled, I was placed into the film program instead. I felt great imposter syndrome in my first filmmaking experience, and even now, but I've really grown into the art and tested myself time and time again. Film has followed me into everything I do, from school to work to my personal life. What I've learned these past 4 years is the importance of highlighting the stories I feel are important.

Words to Porter’s

Don't feel like you have to stick to the path I went out and did my own thing, took a filmmaking class here, and now I've continued to succeed beyond. My art journey has largely been beyond Porter's through my own application. I wouldn't be afraid to step out of this sphere, as comforting as it may be

Next year I will be majoring in Film and Television at NYU! Plans for College Scan

Summer-Zaire Bell

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR 24-26

It has been a pleasure working alongside my fellow Haggis Baggis editors to bring each issue to life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute my perspective as a photography editor and to help shape the visual voice of the magazine. These past three years have been incredibly meaningful, and I feel so fortunate to have spent much of my high school experience collaborating with such a talented and dedicated group of people. Watching the publication grow and evolve has been truly special. I will miss it dearly. Godspeed.

Charlotte Hannich Photography

WordstoPorter’s

I think that the Porter's art community is such a special, vibrant place. I love how everyone is encouraged to just try something that calls to them, and to find the joy and meaning in that thing. I love how so much of the art students make is not only incredibly talented, but incredibly profound Really, I see those paintings, drawings, digital art and photos hanging around campus and think "those pieces need to be awed at in a museum"

and a passion ediums. I think for people to express themselves and the things around them, but as a way to really enjoy and find the fun in living. When I first came to Porter's, I barely engaged with any art forms outside of photography but I was, very palpably, not remarkably talented in those fields. However, as I have progressed through my years at Porter's, I've found myself seeing others working in art forms like water-color, clay, sewing and more, and when I do, I've been hit with the increasing need to take a stab at them, and even though I'm still far from a professional, it has been something that has truly meant a lot to me, my own style of expression, and has generally just been something really fun. I still love photography, and that will most likely always be my primary art form, but I love the way that being at Porter's over these past four years has allowed me to explore more, even if I may not be perfect when I do

PlansforCollege

I plan to keep working in photography, as well as take art classes on the side in order to keep creating.

Painting Georgia Achilles

Before coming to Porter's, I never considered art as anything more than a hobby When I took Studio Art 1 freshman year, this amazing, beautiful space in Olin became accessible to me, and I found myself just being sort of drawn to the studio. In addition to moving through the Studio Art curriculum, I was able to explore art history classes as well as discuss, create, and analyze art in nearly every humanities class. I also think that studying art and social justice in AIS Germany my junior spring helped me to articulate the social necessity of art, and positioned me to pursue art as I applied to college.

I'm planning on getting my BA in political science at Brown and BFA in painting at RISD I'm so so excited and never would have dreamed of pursuing art in this way if it weren't for the incredible faculty and curriculum at Porter's, as well as the unbelievably talented and supportive community in our studio!

Talk about your own art journey in the past 4 years.

In my art journey i've most struggled with making art that has meaning to me. At my time in Porters i've worked towards finding the style of painting that evokes feeling and meaning Three years ago I never painted people, I found colors very difficult unless when it was landscapes or stilllife. Through practice I learned to paint faces and then harassed emotion through choosing candid unpractical moments from my own life. I am now very proud of my most recent series but I feel it represents who I am as a person and artist.

SOPHIE MCCLEARY PAINTING

Words to Porter’s I want to say have ambition. Do not be afraid of a large canvas and definitely don't be afraid to paint the ugly or weird parts of yourself. Always create art that means something to you.

Contributor’s Notes to Haggis Baggis

I love to contribute my art to Haggis Baggis, it's nice to have your art represented and be able to talk about it

Plans for College: I plan to minor in art and major in something hopefully creative.

Suvi Saunders Painting

I joined Porter's as a new sophomore and I immediately started taking art classes. I started in studio art one and got to studio art 3 by junior year as well as taking 19th Century Art History I had alway been interested in art, but Grier and the arts at Porter's gave me the opportunities and supplies I needed to fully explore and expand my skills and interests

For other artists at Porter's I would say that the most important part of art or creating, is having fun with it. For a lot of my life I did not pursue the arts because I didn't think I was good enough, but when I came to Porter's I saw how valuable it can be to just create for the fun of it.

These three painting are from a bigger collection of pet portrait painting I have been working on It is a series of 9 paintings of dogs and one bunny, all of which are my pets of the pets of my friends and family.

Each piece is done in a slightly different style because the purpose of the collection was the explore different methods of painting similar subjects.

Spring Issue 2026

Haggis Baggis Editorial Team 25-26.

Editor-in -Chiefs: Claire Shen &Yulisa Ma

Layout Editor: Wilder Mahoney

Art Editors: Melissa Ma & Lindsay Lin

Literary Editors: Liv Minnehan & Qinni Lan

Photography Editors: Jihu Lee & Summer-Zaire Bell (not pictured)

Haggis Baggis Graduation