The Beauty and Intelligence of Art

“Creativity is Intelligence Having Fun.” Albert Einstein

As a child, I loved to sing, but, unfortunately, I could not sing in tune, much to the chagrin of my father. To remedy the problem, he decided to have me start taking piano lessons when I was seven. My dad played clarinet and alto saxophone in his high school Jazz Band, and hoped I had acquired his musical genes. Alas, the piano did not immediately help my pitch problems, but just as I studied and practiced the skills and techniques needed to master the keyboard, I eventually learned how to train my ear to sing properly as well.

Today, one might say I have a talent for music, not knowing that my gift was certainly not apparent as a youngster. It took many years and much fortitude to develop a degree of competency. At St. Michael’s School, we believe it is important to introduce and develop in children skills which form the “whole child.” Also known as multiple levels of intelligence, this theory is grounded in the work of Howard Gardner, who identified nine areas, each representing a way we process information. They are: Linguistic (word smart), Logical – Mathematical (number/reasoning smart), Spatial (picture smart), Musical (music smart), Bodily – Kinesthetic (body smart), Interpersonal (people smart), Intrapersonal (self smart), Naturalistic (nature smart), and Existential (life smart). Each of us has been gifted with an aptitude in some of these areas, but all of us have the capability and perhaps even the obligation to attempt or at least appreciate all of them.

This week, our students will demonstrate their development in various levels of intelligence at our Spring Fine Arts Festival, which will be held tomorrow evening from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in the Holy Family Center. Mr. Patterson, our Visual Arts Teacher, has assembled a comprehensive display of student work showcasing multiple art forms. Mrs. McKinley, our Yearbook Teacher, will be highlighting her students’ Still Life Photographs, while Ms. Reiner, our Orchestra Teacher, Mr. Alcones and Mr. de Andrade, our Instrumental Music Teachers, and Ms. Alessio, our Vocal Music Teacher, will lead our Performing Arts students in a montage of traditional and contemporary pieces sure to entertain us all.

I am grateful to my parents for introducing me to (and making me practice!) music as a child. It has been a source of great joy and contentment throughout my life. Music is a universal language, and speaks to everyone in some way, even if just through listening. I am also deeply fascinated and very much appreciative of the artists in our midst. Art brings beauty into our world, so one of my late life goals is to take up painting. It is never too late to learn! Congratulations to all of our students this week as they bravely share the growth of their gifts with our community.

In Mission, Kathy