Creative Arts Speaker Series Inspires Our Students

As a school, our focus is to think of our students’ future first and to help them to see that future. With that goal in mind this year Upper School Art teacher Ginny Crittendon rolled out the Creative Arts Speakers Series inviting a broad range of professionals including artists, designers, curators and historians to engage with the St. Agnes Art students.

Mrs. Crittendon explained, “I started the speaker series this year to bring local professionals in the creative arts field to talk to the art girls. I am committed to inviting diverse and innovative voices to ignite curiosity and educate students on the numerous creative careers they can pursue with their passion for the arts.”

During the first year of the series, the speakers have been St. Agnes alumnae or former students who have shared how pivotal the foundation of the Fine Arts department at St. Agnes was to their career path. Each speaker had very powerful insights to share with our students—not only about her personal journey, but about important life skills such as time management, collaboration, creative problem solving and communication.

The series kicked off with a presentation by Julie Novarese Pierotti SAA ‘01, Curator at The Dixon Gallery and Gardens, who spoke to the students about art history, museum studies, and art galleries. Next Abby Phillips, the Executive Director/Co-Founder of Arrow Creative, shared advice on how to build a strong art portfolio for college, the importance of supporting local artists, and details about Memphis Fashion Week.

In January, young alums Sarah Grace Price SAA ’20, who currently attends Auburn, majoring in Architecture and Landscape Design and Grace Martin SAA ’16, a student at Savannah College of Art and Design studying Animation, spoke with the girls about their current educational experiences, aspirations for the future, and following your passion.

Most recently, Mrs. Julia Schifani Whitworth SAA ‘13 visited the students to discuss her artwork, entrepreneurship, and marketing and growing her small business. Julia currently resides in Chattanooga and is a Marketing Professional and freelance artist.

Senior AP Art student Sophia Carroll shared, “For seniors and other upperclassmen like me, the college process can be daunting, especially if you are interested in studying art or design. However, after hearing the inspiring stories from St. Agnes Academy alums about their artistic journeys, I feel inspired and comforted that others have been in the same situation as well.”

She added, “Thanks to Mrs. Crittendon's love for bringing in art speakers, I feel more secure and supported in my endeavors. In college, I plan to study the history of art as well as production design. In the future, I would love to design sets for films or theatrical production or be a cinematographer. However, I plan to take whatever opportunity comes my way. I will, as the art speakers told us, GO FOR IT!”

“I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to be able to talk to St. Agnes alumnae who have/will have a career in the Arts,” added senior AP art student Paige Jerit.  “Each speaker gave us new perspectives on how the art business works and showed vulnerability when telling their journey on how they got to pursuing a career in the arts.”

Mrs. Crittendon is hoping to have one more speaker scheduled before the end of the semester. She started the series with alumnae but looks to include parents and other influential members of the community in the future. In addition to guest lectures, the students have also benefited from memorable learning experiences outside the walls of the school while visiting the speakers on-site at local galleries, studios, and mural tours.