PROGRAM
To Err is Human,
to Create is Divine
By Kati Mowat-Nicholson Ivette Hermann greets me warmly, wearing
Creativity Takes Courage
a paint-splattered apron. Something about this talented artist’s open, accepting smile If you can walk, compels me to share a deep dark secret. “I’m not good at art. I can’t draw.” I “Art takes practice, just like sports or you can dance. mumble, embarrassed. music. Creating art is about the process, If you can talk, She laughs reassuringly. “You’re saying ‘I not necessarily the product,” adds Lindsay can’t draw,’ and that makes you think you Petralia, whose passions include printyou can sing. aren’t artistic? The ability to draw something making and textile art. She teaches visual arts realistically, that’s a technical skill. But drawing to Kindergarten through third grade. Hermann, is just one way to express yourself creatively.” an experienced visual arts teacher agrees, “At Fortunately, Pegasus students are provided many Pegasus, we want to elevate content. Content is your opportunities to express themselves creatively. In visual arts, self-expression, your desire to create. And it takes courage to students are exposed to mediums such as paints and pastels, express yourself and to be creative,” she explains. ceramics and sculpture, glass-fusing, photography, printTo drive that point home, students are introduced to art making, and textiles. In the performing arts, they act, sing, and artists that are traditionally overlooked. “We do talk about dance, and play instruments. ‘The Masters,’” Hermann explains, “But, they come from I realize how limited my definition of art has been and I feel a very Eurocentric perspective. I think it is crucial for our encouraged. Hermann is obviously deft at breaking down any students to see multiple points of view, particularly ones that barriers her students have erected around their inner artist. are different from their own.” The stories of contemporary
12
THE PEGASUS SCHOOL
