St. mAry of the woods school
It has been my pleasure to return in a supportive role to my alma mater, St. Mary of the Woods School in Chicago, Illinois. I attended this school and graduated in 2014. A unique opportunity arose when my mother, Maria Schwab, was offered the position of art teacher in 2021. She took the job with no hesitation and we both realized that this was a chance to create an impactful curriculum for the kids here.
From learning about expressionism through Jean-Michel Basquiat’s works, implementing techniques such as Pablo Picasso’s into their own art, and to creating visual experiences like Yayoi Kusama, It’s been amazing seeing how the program has blossomed and evolved since my grade school days. Seeing these kids beam with pride and discover themselves through art is the most gratifying part for me.
My biggest contribution has to be the annual Art Showcase.
The latest showcase had the most turnout of any showcase so far. Spanning two floors and the school halls it’s such an immersive experience for the kids and for their families to see the work they’ve created throughout the year. With 210 frames sold by artomé, a total of $2,460 was fundraised for the art program at St. Mary of the Woods with a net sale of $7,210 overall.
All of the posters I’ve designed for the Art Showcase feature a student’s artwork. Seeing the look on their faces as they realize their artwork got chosen for the promotional material is priceless. As a student, I wish I had opportunities to present my work and I hope that these students are inspired to create art that speaks to them and express their skills.
“Giving back to my community means the world to me“
young artists find their voice through their art style
Students realize that their works are professional and are able to display the techniques they learn in class.
Students are encouraged to join art contests and get their work out there! Just the 2024/25 school year, St. Mary of the Woods students won all three prizes for the Jr. High Art Contest that St. Patrick High school hosts every year. They were awarded cash prizes and recognition for their efforts.
Overall, It’s been an honor working beside my mother and the conversations I have with these students make me hopeful for this future generation. They’re armed with the proper tools and have such a fire in them to create. They continue to make me proud and I can’t wait to continue inspiring them to be the best version of themselves.