MS. CAROL MOLENDA ART EXPOSITION and AUCTION
to benefit the Creative Spirit Scholarship in her memory at St. Benedict Prep High School
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Beaven Hall
Our theme for this year’s art exposition and auction focuses on the quote from the cover of the 2008 yearbook: “Leaving a Lasting Impression.” Ms. Carol Molenda not only taught art here for over 30 years but in spired so many students to use their talents and leave a lasting impression in order to create a better world. For many, today will serve the purpose to honor the example and generosity of someone you may not have personally known but should admire, a creative soul who left her “lasting impression” behind not only on SBPS but on so many students. Today we kick off our school wide art exposition which continues through May 31st in the lower level of the Church. Ms. Molenda left her mark on those who continue her work here and have prepared this wonderful display of the creative genius of our students from Kindergarten through High School. Mrs. Mary Jo Kent, Secondary School Art teacher, continues that passionate instruction of art with her students. She moderates the Art Club and has encouraged so many students to donate their art to today’s auction. Mrs. Jacqualyn (Stevenson) Stancin ‘02, Elementary School Art teacher, is a direct product of Ms. Molenda’s four year HS art program. She went on to study at U of I where she received her Masters in Art Education. Our younger students are learning all the valuable lessons Ms. Molenda taught Mrs. Stancin when she was her student. That inspiration drives the Ms. Molenda Art Exposition and Auction 2015 as we seek to build up the scholarship that bears the name of the legacy she continues to share with us all at St. Benedict Preparatory School:
the Carol Molenda Creative Spirit Award
Mrs. Kent and Mrs. Stancin during Art Expo ‘14 setup
Ms. Carol Molenda Art Auction 2015 Program
7:30 a.m. Art Exposition opens in the Church Lower Level Hall Silent Auction and Interactive Art Displays open in Beaven Hall 11:30 a.m. Welcome by Ms. Rachel Gemo, C.E.O. 2:00 p.m. Auction closes and Check out begins
3:00 p.m. Art Exposition Closes +++++
Ms. Carol Molenda (1957-2011)
Beloved art teacher, yearbook moderator, and so much more here at St. Benedict High School for over 30 years. Why beloved? the late Fr. Peter Heidenrich wrote the following back in 1992 that explains why.
“In order to appreciate fully her value as a professional art educator one must see our type of student. Ours is an inner city high school populated by many ethnically diverse “street - kids”. They are, indeed, a tough lot. They do not produce easily. They seldom trust. They are minimally motivated. The whole of her presence is a dynamic, sharp, inviting contrast to all of this. Ms. Molenda is well liked and respected by them. Her impact, through art classes, is a vital and lifegiving component to our student body. She taps their deep feelings and evokes a response toward a creative expression. She energizes their conflicts into external form of order and design. She motivates many of these hard core students. She enables them to find rich inner resources within themselves as a sharp contrast to their everyday lives. She invites students to order and beauty where there is hardness. She is most invaluable to our school. A special presence in our school comes from her painting. She works in oils and watercolors. Her large, numerous works of art have transformed our old buildings. Her compositions are complex, soft, detailed and striking. Many are delicate. Many are strong. All alicit pondering and inspiration. Few guests pass through our buildings without Mural completed by Carol, admiring the display from our artistic genius, Michelle Ariola ‘10, and Kristin Stevenson ‘10 Ms. Molenda.” Because her painting are permanent, prominent display in universities and healthcare facilities in the city, her name is recognized as that of a Chicago artist.”
“Paint a masterpiece daily. Always autograph your work with excellence.”
Carol Molenda Creative Spirit Scholarship A limited number of $500 scholarships are awarded annually to artistically talented candidates with a principal, teacher, parish or community leader recommendation who exhibit outstanding qualities of creativity, character and responsibility. Students must also complete a personal statement on their interest in art instruction as well as a self-reflection on a recent art piece completed. Final candidates interview with members of St. Benedict Preparatory High School Administration. Award recipients need to successfully complete at least one art class at St. Benedict Preparatory High School for each year the scholarship is awarded.
2014-15 New Recipients of the Creative Spirit Award: (left to right) Hunter Kogen ‘17, Lil Molenda, Melody Quintero ‘17, Mariam Mekha ‘17
Carol Molenda Creative Spirit Award Senior Recipients and a quote from their art essays:
(left to right)
“Art is everywhere we look. Art is used to improve the environment, build self-esteem and improve the quality of life.” Haley Kogen ‘15 “I enjoy art because there is no structure to it. There is no right way or wrong way on how a line should be drawn. My artistic creativity comes from my imagination. I like taking my thoughts and imagination and putting it into whatever media I decide to use. Art brings a sense of calmness to me.” Nicholas Trujillo ‘15
The following art pieces were created by Ms. Molenda and begin at $25 with $5 increment bid to follow.
b
(All measurements are width by length in inches)
1) 14.5 x 18
2) 17 x 18
3) 12 x 18
4)13.5 x 17
5) 16 x 12
6) 18 x 19
7) 24 x 6
8) 18 x 24 9) 22 x 30 WANT TO KEEP THE FRAME?? An additional $20 donation will cover the cost.
The following pieces of art were donated to the auction by our art teachers, Mrs. Mary Jo Kent (10 & 11) and Mrs. Jackie Stancin (12-14). They begin at $25 with a $5 increment bid to follow.
12) 14 x 11
10) 15.5 x 12.5 framed
13) Jewelry creation 14) 8 x 10 by Mrs. Stancin 11) 16 x 20 The following pieces of student art were chosen by Ms. Molenda as hallway displays and are framed (each 19� x 24�)
15)
16)
18) 19)
17)
20)
The following pieces of art were donated to the auction by Mrs. Kent’s Secondary School art students and begin at $20 with $5 increment bid to follow.
21) 14 x 11
22) 11 x 15
23) 23 x 17
24) 15 x 11
25) 11 x 9
27) Chalice (height 5”)
28) Pagoda (height 4”)
26) 8 x 11
29) Vase (height 6”)
The following pieces are donated by the Creative Spirit Award winners:
30) 11 x 14
31) 20 x 25
32) 11 x 14
WANT TO KEEP THE FRAME?? An additional $20 donation will cover the cost.
32) 18x13
33-35) tripych 11 x 14 each
Numbers 37- 49 Miscellaneous Donated Art Mediums
Ms. Molenda’s unfinished piece completed by Hayley Kogen ‘15 36) 14 x 22
Proceeds from the auction of the above art pieces will go to fund the CAROL MOLENDA CREATIVE SPIRIT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS for the 2015-16 school year. A ll remaining funds including alumni contributions in memory of Ms. Carol Molenda will be added to the current $104,000+ in our ST. BENEDICT PARISH EDUCATIONAL ENDOWMENT.
How will the new endowment continue the Creative Spirit Awards?
Our endowment made up of seed money along with current year gifts has grown to over $75,000. It is designed to keep the principal amount intact while using the investment income from dividends for charitable efforts namely scholarships in memory of various staff and alumni. Students receiving awards from the endowment would be in the areas of: • Art - Creative Spirit (Ms. Molenda) for current students, • Band (Mr. Stark) for new or current students, • Chorus (Susan (Kass) Perschke ‘65) for current students, • Christian Leadership (Fr. Kruger) for new or current students • Civic Leadership (Mr. McTigue) for current students, • Journalism (Patrick Heffernan ‘75) for current students, • Mathematics (Sr. Natalie Gerlach, S.S.S.F.) for current students, • Performing Arts (Mrs. Kittler) for new or current students, • School Spirit (Chris Ford) for current students
Endowments provide ongoing benefits for those that receive them by earning a market rate of interest while keeping the core endowment principal intact to fund future years of scholarships. Investing in an endowment will permit the school to award the Creative Spirit Scholarship each year as there will perpetually be income to fund it. This will be a lasting tribute to Ms. Molenda and others who made St. Benedict Preparatory School a special place to learn, grow, and excel.
Interested in the following print reproductions of Ms. Molenda’s artwork?
Make a $10 donation to the scholarship fund and pick one up at check-out.
Are you thinking about framing in the near future? We recommend PETERSON PICTURE CO. Contact Mike Spear at (773) 463-8888 ext. 10
In Memory of Kilian “Bud” Jerger ‘54
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