Catholic Education and Creativity: Immaculate Heart School

The art room at Immaculate Heart School dazzles in its abundance of color and creativity.  But the dazzle is not without structure.  

Sue Duffy, holding a B.S. in Art Education with a minor in Art History, uses the disciplines of art curriculum method in her classroom, leading even the youngest students through the disciplines of art history, aesthetics, production, and criticism.  It’s evident something different is happening in this classroom when two kindergarteners not only proudly display their artwork but can identify the artist whose style inspired their pieces.  


As Mrs. Duffy reminds her students, “Art is in everything!”, and her lessons incorporate history, the Catholic faith, architecture, music…and almost every other subject one can name…showing both art’s influence on the subject and the subject’s influence on art.  “I love talking about art with the kids and I’m not over it yet,” she says. 


IHS also maintains a quality art program because of the ability that art has to unlock each child’s talents.  “The child that struggles in math or reading often thrives in the art room,” says Duffy.  In a room where the subject material is not black or white, students uncover and develop strengths and abilities they may never knew they had.  And victories in the art room often lead to successes in the classroom, something Duffy and the other teachers have seen over and over.  ‘It’s amazing how the brain works,” Duffy remarks. “The different ways of thinking and negotiating and problem solving that occur in the interpretation and creation of art spill over into every academic discipline.”


Over the years the art program at Immaculate Heart has grown, but its importance in the curriculum has always existed. “I only had 2 drawers of supplies my first year,” Duffy says, recounting the beginnings of her 25 year career, “but the Sisters, as they always have, gave anything and everything to the program, even in the beginning.”  The abundance of supplies, a large art room with space to create, display, and store, and even Smart Board technology enable Duffy to execute an exceptional art program.  “I’ve attended conferences where my art budget is greater than schools of 2000 students” she says, evidence that art is an integral part of the IHS curriculum.


The art class gives students the confidence to interpret the world around them without fear, laying the foundations for a confidence that will serve them later in life.  “Children,” Duffy says, “are fearless.  When it comes to interpreting and creating art, they have an attitude of ‘bring it on, let’s do this!’”  Because children become more and more reluctant to create as they get older, she works to give them the space, instruction, and inspiration to do so as much as possible when they are young.  Duffy’s goal for her students?  “For them not to be afraid to make a mark on paper”—a simple goal, but one with profound results.

For more information on IHS visit www.ihschool.org  or call Sr. Veronica Loya at (520) 297-6672. Support creativity and support Catholic Education with tax credits at CTSO.