Rainer Hunt ’13 grew up in a small town, so going to a small college in a remote location wasn’t what she considered an exciting prospect.
“Then I went through the interview process,” Rainer recalls, “and I realized Bennington was the only college that made an effort to get to know me versus the standard ‘if you could have dinner with anyone alive or dead who would it be’ type of stuff. To be heard and listened to at eighteen felt empowering.”
Rainer came to Bennington knowing she wanted to study documentary film, but she was also open to exploring all the elements of a liberal arts education. She was reluctant to engage in making physical art until she took Jon Isherwood’s Intro to Sculpture course her junior year.
“Once I dipped my toes in, I was hooked,” says Rainer. “Somehow, and to this day I’m not sure how, I later convinced Jon that I was ready for Advanced Sculpture. It was like nothing I had experienced before.”
Rainer recalls working with the other students in the course as a collective; everyone encouraging, pushing, critiquing each other, finding truth in their work and moving forward with the next project. “What I wouldn’t give to be back in that space and class.”
After Bennington, Rainer worked for Radical Media, a production company where she spent a Field Work Term. She learned about film production and about how to survive in New York City. From there she became a commercial director’s assistant and is now a freelance production coordinator.
“Basically, I’m the one on the ground gearing up for a shoot, working the shoot, then picking up the pieces afterward,” says Rainer. “Most of my days are spent problem solving and organizing in a fast-moving, chaotic industry.” One notable highlight was working as production coordinator for Martin Scorsese’s “Pretend It’s A City,” a Netflix docuseries featuring writer Fran Lebowitz which premiered in January 2021.
“The running joke when I graduated is that Brooklyn is Bennington’s remote campus,” says Rainer. “Living in New York, I’ve stayed friends with fellow alumni and even made new ones who are connected to Bennington.”
Rainer also remains close with Jon Isherwood.
“About two years ago, I spent a frigid icy afternoon helping Jon photograph and measure out spaces for a public art installation. Soon I’ll get to see those pieces unveiled in the city I call home.”
Rainer tries to get back to Bennington at least once a year to sit at the End of the World and wander through VAPA, taking in the familiar sites and smells. These sojourns to campus remind her of the impact Bennington made on her life and career. They also inspire Rainer to continue supporting Bennington.
“A large reason I was able to attend Bennington was because of financial aid,” says Rainer. “Those four years shaped who I became as a woman, an adult, and an artist. It’s simple. I give so that a future student can discover their own Bennington experience.”
