Communal Art Project "Takes Flight"

LMS & PSK soar with Spirit Bird project
Connecting artistic process with the school's emphasis on Goal I, students in preschool through eighth grade are creating a communal project that will both articulate the diverse individuality and creativity of each student and reflect the unified Sacred Heart LMS and PSK community through art.

With a goal to create an large-scale installation in the Ravi Family Assembly Hall lobby, the Spirit Birds project is the brainchild of the LMS arts faculty, conceived as a way to launch the new school year and for young students to tangibly consider and explore the meaning behind Goal I--a personal and active faith in God.

"We want each child to explore and reflect on this Goal, and develop a personal expression of faith," says Ciara Bedingfield, art teacher for grades 1-3 and lead for the project. "So [at the beginning of the semester,] we introduced the Spirit Birds assignment with this in mind."

To date, each LMS and PSK student has received a small bird made from maple wood and laser cut from a simple design. Their task is to personally design, create, and decorate wings that will attach, enabling the bird to "fly." At the conclusion of the project, each bird will be will be suspended from wires and hung together in the Ravi, flying together as one flock.

A poignant and meaningful addition to the exhibit will be the inclusion of birds made by retired RSCJ residing at Oakwood, blended within the frozen flight.

"As visual artists, our work is often to make external our internal spiritual process," explains Bedingfield. "We have begun by using the bird as a metaphor for hope. Many other artists, particularly poets, have used the bird to symbolize hope and dreams. Birds can symbolize freedom, power, messengers, transcendence, wisdom, life and death. Watching a flock of pelicans migrate north over the ocean is like watching spirits on a journey. There is trust, ancient knowledge, cooperation, and complete wonder and magic as they fly.

"The wings we will make will reference all of these [symbols, colors, and ideas], making the final installation a beautiful symbol of life and hope―and a wonderful reflection of our student community."
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Sacred Heart Schools Atherton

Sacred Heart Schools, Atherton

150 Valparaiso Ave
Atherton, CA 94027
650 322 1866
Founded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, SHS is a Catholic, independent, co-ed day school for students in preschool through grade 12