Escuela students and alums are curious, compassionate, and care about the world. They have been taught that they can solve their own problems, that they can follow their own passions, and that they can make a difference. And so they do. And oh my goodness, it’s clear the world needs that now more than ever! This is why I am so passionate about this institution and what it can do –not just for the students who come to the school, but for their parents. For the artists. For the community. And, as we are leaders by example, for the country and, perhaps, the world. This institution puts that vision into beautiful action. This synchronistic, collaborative, and engaged model is rather unique in the world. In our current historical moment, many of us are questioning, “What, exactly, are we doing here? What is my purpose as a human being on this planet? Who are we as a civilization?” It seems so abundantly clear that an institution like Escuela del Sol and its Harwood Art Center is both revolutionary and evolutionary in answering those questions. If, as a society, we know that more conventional models of education are not working, Escuela del Sol and the Harwood show us another way. Part of my vision as Executive Director is to build an endowment that allows the school to be accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, supporting an equitable society. I want to ensure teachers can be paid as the committed, intrepid professionals they are, and to help Escuela del Sol and the Harwood continue to show the world just how good and just community-engaged, visionary, and fun education and art for social justice and change can be. In other words, to continue the incredible work of Friedje vanGils, our dedicated and long-standing board members, our generations of parents who have given to the school in ways large and small, our thriving community of artists, our incredible educators and the city that we aim to serve. This is a beautiful moment to be looking forward to the next hundred years of Escuela del Sol, and I am thrilled and honored to be here with you, our amazing community.
kate chavez
executive director, escuela del sol & harwood art center, 2021 - present
from our new executive director