defining the heART of art

In 2020, as a reimagining of what was formerly Art From the Heart, the Visual Arts Department and the Parents Association co-hosted an interactive visual arts daylong engagement with three visiting artists. Students in Grades 7–12 were invited to volunteer as artist apprentices with our visiting artists, gaining valuable art skills while being role models to our youngest students. The event galvanized the creative potential of our K–12 community, serving as a cultural nexus for learning in and through the arts.

While traveling for the IB Global Politics, Art and Design study abroad trip in Berlin, Germany, Rachel McIntire and senior Azadeh Reiskin sat down at the Arte Luise Kunsthotel to discuss the development of Heart of Art and cast visions for its future.

WARM UP

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RACHEL MCINTIRE VISUAL 10

AZADEH: Heart /härt/ noun. adverb. 1. A person having heart, passionate, willing to get into it. 2. COM-PASSION-ATE

RACHEL: Again, in your own words, define “art.”

AZADEH: Art /ärt/ noun. Verb. 1. Anything you can look at, feel … once you know it is there, it is there. 2. Presence. 3. Future.

4. Reflection.

RACHEL: What is the Heart of Art?

AZADEH: A Sacred Heart school aiming to share within a K–12 community what the art department represents. An art experience — open, inquisitive, playful and welcoming.

My turn to ask some questions! Ms. Mac, can you tell me more about Heart of Art and how the community events came to be?

RACHEL: In 2020, when the opportunity arose to rethink an art experience for our community, it welcomed a rethinking of what might truly represent the values of the Visual Arts Department and the greater Sacred Heart goals. The idea was to engage art students as apprentices working with professional artists and invite primarily Lower Form families — and, of course, anyone interested — to join in art-making activities. Essentially, it is an art takeover of our campus.

AZADEH: How do you curate or co-curate the content for our K–12 community?

RACHEL: It generally starts with kismet, a lingering question or an introduction. After that, a dialogue ensues with stakeholders, including Dr. Krejcarek, faculty in various disciplines that might intersect with topics the artist engages, and with YOU — student leaders and representatives. Our goal has been to invite visiting artists to consider what age group and disciplines are a fit to contribute to the work.

AZADEH: How long does it take to organize Heart of Art events, and what does funding and support look like?

RACHEL: Great question. We are currently looking to find support from families who are passionate about the arts and who want to build a public art legacy through shared experiences. It is important to the department to support the arts program internally and also invite emerging and established artists from the community. By doing so, we are acknowledging that our school community is yet another vector in San Francisco’s larger contemporary art scene.

AZADEH: How do Heart of Art and the philosophy of a Sacred Heart education align?

RACHEL: Heart of Art emerged entirely from Sacred Heart’s philosophy to work as a community as a Christian value, engage wise freedom in making creative decisions and build a social awareness through art-making that engages a wide variety of topics relevant to the community.

AZADEH: What has been the most inspiring or touching moment you’ve witnessed at Heart of Art?

RACHEL: Too many! What immediately comes to mind is watching seniors Brock Bisaillon and Spencer Pirie teach some of our kindergartners how to use a blow torch under the guidance of professional artist Brian Enright. You can imagine the expression on the parents’ faces. Another was watching artist Susannah Prinz lead a first grader and their grandmother in a project entitled “Life Lines” wherein they drew a line across a long paper while narrating the ups and downs and significant moments in their lives. The grandmother shared stories with the grandchild, and the moment was embedded in the artwork.

What ideas do you have for future Heart of Art events, Azadeh?

AZADEH: would love to imagine an event led by our Lower Form students — their creativity is such a raw and untouched source. What if the younger students directed the high school students as apprentices and then we invited families to participate? How fun!

RACHEL: What would you like to see from Heart of Art when you return as an alumna in 10 years?

AZADEH: like to imagine that Heart of Art would support the growth of the art department and engage the Artists-in-Residence that we invite to do real and relevant work that addresses the world’s challenges.

When I think of the playful interview that Azadeh and held in Berlin, there is a warm sense of potential, a stirring of the unknown and a belief in what might be next for Heart of Art. That is where art begins. These moments are precious and fleeting.

The value our community holds for the arts and their capacity to portray the world in new ways is integral to the relevance of the arts in students’ lives. To be in perennial dialogue with Heart and Art at the center is one of the many gifts of a Sacred Heart education.