Artistically Speaking: Austen Juul-Hansen

Talented senior makes everyone around her better, starting with herself

Senior Austen-Juul Hansen poses during a photo shoot featuring fashion designs by Senior Gaby Fagelman. “She had me model her handmade designs,” Juul-Hansen said. “They were featured in the Icons Only show this year.” The designs are displayed on Fagelman’s website: designsbygaby.com.

Mia Terminella, Mac Photojournalism
July 9, 2018

Senior Austen Juul-Hansen is leaving her mark on McCallum through art, theatre and her passion for individuality and self love.

“She’s always willing to learn and grow as a person and betters herself constantly,” said senior Anna McGuire, Juul-Hansen’s best friend. “She’s incredibly artistic, kind, witty, intelligent and has a beautiful soul.”

“The Nature of Desire” is a piece focused on Juul-Hansen’s personal exploration in sexuality.

McGuire said that Juul-Hansen has an amazing capacity for expression and for honest and intimate conversations. Juul-Hansen demonstrated both of these qualities when she held an event called “Girls Night” last February that created a comfortable space where women could connect and express their vulnerability without fear. Juul-Hansen gathered a panel of women for a Q & A about identity.

“Women of all ages came together to celebrate our sexuality and to have an honest and open dialogue about what it means to be empowered in our identity,” Juul-Hansen said.

In total about 40 women from different generations were in attendance in support of Juul-Hansen, including a Planned Parenthood representative and booth.

“The event was so successful and just being in that room with such positive energy was amazing,” Juul-Hansen said. “Seeing young girls engaged and talking about these topics really warmed my heart.”

As a visual art and performance theatre major, Juul-Hansen also expresses her passion through multiple art forms such as painting and theatre.

“Kisses” expresses Juul-Hansen’s opinion on femininity and the way it feels to be a woman.

“Art is so valuable because it allows for creativity and emotion that does not have to be justified or explained to anyone,” Juul-Hansen said.

She spends her free time painting portraits of her friends and herself.

“I paint because I want to express all of the beauty I see in the world,” Juul-Hansen said.

Aside from painting, Juul-Hansen also spends her free time doing theatre.

“I act because it allows me to decipher my feelings in a therapeutic way,” Juul-Hansen said.

Juul-Hansen has been seen in many MacTheatre productions, her favorites being Titanic, Me and My Girl, and West Side Story.

The piece titled “In Memoriam to Identity” was inspired by one of Juul-Hansen’s personal battles.
“I created this piece in a time when I felt a little lost within the identity of everyone around me.” Juul-Hansen said.

“Austen and I spend a lot of time together, anytime I get to just sit and talk with her in a coffee shop is some of the best times,” McGuire said. “I feel as though my capacity for self love and love for others has grown in the time that I’ve known her.”

McGuire isn’t the only friend who said that Juul-Hansen has affected them in a good way.

“Austen has made me a better person,” senior Jack Switzer said. “She’s taught me how to care about myself and feel comfortable in my own skin.”

Juul-Hansen believes that McCallum has provided her with a safe space to pursue her art.

“At McCallum, people are condemned for judging the weird, as opposed to being condemned for being weird or different.” Juul-Hansen said.

Following her time at McCallum, Juul-Hansen will move to New York, and attend Vassar College. Her major is still undecided but Juul-Hansen is leaning toward studying philosophy, anthropology and English.

“I think it’s beautiful to be able to speak your mind without being critiqued,” Juul-Hansen said. “ It’s amazing how people will share themselves when given the opportunity.”