Princeton Academy, alongside other Sacred Heart schools across the nation, has been participating in a year-long celebration honoring Janet Erskine Stuart, RSCJ, one of the Network's founders. As part of the Centenarian Celebration, each school in the Sacred Heart Network has been asked to contribute a piece of original art depicting some aspect of Mother Stuart’s life. These original works by students will be hung at the Stuart Center for Mission, Educational Leadership and Technology at 821 Varnum Street NE in Washington, D.C.
When fifth grader Andrew Rasmussen heard that Middle School art teacher, Gail Morford, was looking for a student artist to create Princeton Academy’s contribution, he immediately volunteered. Morford was impressed with Andrew’s responsible approach to the task and commended his willingness to share his artistic gifts with the Sacred Heart community.
She commented that Andrew lives out Goal II: “Schools of the Sacred Heart commit themselves to educate to a deep respect for intellectual values.” Andrew’s strong passion for art and his creativity fulfill the criteria that support this goal.
With some guidance from Morford, Andrew took on the project. Andrew’s theme for his composition was the purple hyacinth, Mother Stuart’s favorite flower. He chose oil pastels to capture the vibrant colors and beauty of the hyacinth.
Andrew worked tenaciously, experimenting with various techniques and types of pastels to create the style he pictured in his imagination. He used an artistic technique he had learned from his grandmother and artist Claudia Rasmussen, where he outlined each petal. In his composition, entitled Peaceful Prayer, two hyacinths of different shades of blue are leaning toward each other like two hands coming together to pray in a sunny, yellow space.
The total composition elicits a feeling of tranquility and peace. He completed the work independently during his free time and presented it to Morford this week.
Once Princeton Academy's picture is received and “installed,” the Center will create a virtual art gallery. The link will be posted on https://stuartcenter.org, sofie.org., and on the National Sacred Heart Schools Facebook page. All are invited to take a virtual tour of the artwork and see Andrew’s work in its permanent location at the Stuart Center.
