Art

Paula Lindstrom

My husband Don and I have been married for twenty-eight years. We have three children, our son Kyle (26), and two daughters, Sarah (24) and Grace (7). Sarah is married so we have added a wonderful son-in-law Jesse and a grandson Brady with another grandson due Novermber 1st!

Our older children went through Catholic schools so we have some wonderful experiences to remember but I have to say Holy Cross is "different." I am still in awe. I have always worked closely with teachers and respect and admire those with such dedication to our children.

I cannot remember a time when art was not a major part of my life. Our chidlren were "born", it seems, with a pen, pencil, crayon or whatever they could hold in their hands. I believe each child (each person, actually) DOES have unique talent! I have experienced this many times over and it's so exciting to watch someone overcome any lack of confidence they feel and begin to explore and see what they can create - it is all unique and a joy to behold when they discover that! Exploring art should be fun! It's so exciting to find a medium you love and pursue it to another level. Pope John Paul II wrote a letter to artists in 1999. That letter has had a big influence in the way I want to educate our children in art with their "eyes of faith" and to give all glory to God.

My father was a professional photographer and artist. The "artistic aspect" was always the focus of most anywhere we went or anything we did. I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Millikin University with a minor in Elementary Education. At the end of my junior year, I was offered a rare opportunity to work in television with an ABC affiliate in our area. This was an incredible experience and opened many doors, including the opportunity to work with the Bishop of Springfield, IL on a story about "How the Pope 'almost' came to Springfield!" How I wish he had! That job introduced me to many people and experiences and was a bit of "art" in itself. I have taught art in many different venues over the years as well as continued my own exploration, continuing to take classes in many different fields and areas of interest. I hope to also encourage that in our children.

Art has been so "trashed " by so many in the secular world in so many ways. I have been to lectures by prominent artists and museum directors and witnessed much done in the "name of art" that does not in any way follow or honor God! I desire to educate our children in a way that encourages them to help change that. I belive art should give glory to God and am saddened when art is used to destroy, deliberately hurt or deceive. Besides my art experience in schools, I have always involved myself in parish community and the communities where we have lived including helping with art centers, libraries and serving on a board that raised $1.5 million to build a historical museum.