Dear high school actors, artists, dancers and musicians, 
 
On behalf of my St. Olaf colleagues in the Fine Arts I welcome you to these Fall Visit Days that St. Olaf offers every year around this time.  Though the college has offered this kind of event for many years, this is the first year that the Fall Visit Days include a focus on the departments of the Fine Arts and the abundant opportunities for aspiring young artists to explore their creativity, craft and understanding of the artistic effort. The Fine Arts play a very significant role in the life and identity of the whole college.  You will find evidence of that in the quality of spaces the college provides in support of young artists, in the robust amount of artistic activity that permeates the academic calendar, in a rich curriculum designed to challenge young artists, and in the many faculty who share an impressive record of professional activity and scholarship as well as a passion for preparing the next generation of artists.   
 
I challenge you to take full advantage of your visit to this campus and this opportunity to truly discover the arts at St. Olaf. 
 
With all good wishes, 
 
Dan Dressen

Professor of Music 
Associate Dean for the Fine Arts