Santa Fe Christian students experience hands-on exhibit with fine art

When you were in kindergarten, did you get to try on Princess Diana’s necklace? For Santa Fe Christian students, that dream came true recently. Last week students experienced a rare opportunity to hold fine art in their hands, thanks to a philanthropic organization (that prefers to remain anonymous) that loaned their art collection to Santa Fe Christian Schools for one day only, according to a news release. From kindergartners to middle and high schoolers, all were lined up outside the high school art classroom, eagerly waiting to see these treasured artifacts. Some of the items include:

–Group of Slinger Bullets from the Battle site of Munde in March 44 B.C.

–Rare Leaf from Martin Luther’s Bible, dated 1545

–Commercial Treaty Signed by King George IV in 1824

–Pour Bernard, Pablo Picasso, circa 1954

–Portrait of Jacqueline Kennedy by Yousuf Karsh, dated 1957

–Ferdinand VII, King of Spain, Royal Birth Announcement, dated 1821

–Renoir’s Ball du moulin de la Galette, dated 1919

–Life Mask of Ludwig Van Beethoven – Lot No. 30

–Portrait of Her Majesty Elizabeth The Second by Yousuf Karsh, dated 1956

–Portrait of Grace Kelly by Yousuf Karsh, dated 1956

Students were amazed to discover they could hold a Picasso, see a life mask of Beethoven, and even wear Princess Diana’s royal bracelet.

“Today, I witnessed art being picked up, discussed, and evaluated by those who’ve taken art and those without any art background,” said Kalli Hendrickson, SFC’s high school art teacher, said in the news release.

The organization that shared the art with SFC has a heart for bringing art to schools so children can experience the joy and inspiration of fine art.

“My hope is that when children get to hold beautiful masterpieces like this, it would give them a sense of wonder,” said Rod Gilbert, head of schools, in the news release. “This organization allowed us a new way to cultivate a sense of God’s created order and beauty in the world and we are so grateful.”

Staff and faculty were amazed with the art as they brought their students into the classroom to share the experience with them.

“What I found beautiful was the community gathering outside the classroom for a learning activity that felt natural,” said Hendrickson in the news release. “Students of all grades and faculty all in the same place, looking at bits of history and culture, enjoying an experience together. I think the power of art is more than about the message in the piece, but what we do with it. Art was always meant to gather people.”