Appearing more than ever in the Image of God

St. Elizabeth Seton school’s students from kindergarten through the 5th grade are surrounded by beauty. The grounds of Terra Sancta appear to be in the midst of the Black Hills forest while only being a short drive out of the heart of Rapid City. The halls are lined with large images of classic artwork that students can see as they move from classroom to classroom throughout the day. The school’s art and music programs are inspired by staff who have a heart for drawing the students into all that is true, beautiful, and good. Pope St. John Paul II noted, “Through his artistic creativity, man appears more than ever in the image of God.” All of this was on display at this year’s annual Christmas music concerts.

The kindergarten – 5th grade students at St. Elizabeth Seton school created nativity drawings, which were featured in the annual Christmas concerts and art show on December 11, 2024. The exhibit was on view in the vestibule of Holy Cross Chapel at Terra Sancta. Dr. Julie Tipton, the superintendent of Rapid City Catholic School System, asked the students to illustrate the nativity, and their drawings were entered into a contest for the front and back covers of this year’s RCCSS Christmas card. Dr. Tipton announced the winners, Freya Gaul a 4th grader for the front cover and Lorelei Christensen a 5th grader for the back cover at the school’s Immaculate Conception Mass. The almost 300 art students who each created wonderful nativity drawings were inspired by both sacred and contemporary art, which their art teacher Meryl Gaeta displayed in the classroom.

Meryl created the art curriculum two years ago, inspired by Saint John Paul II’s Letter to Artists. In his letter he said, “Artists of the world, may your many different paths lead to that Ocean of beauty where wonder becomes awe, exhilaration, unspeakable joy.” They are encouraged by Meryl to use their imagination and creativity as she encourages them to see that all this is truly a gift from God.

Dee Dee Johnson, the music teacher at Seton Schools, has been working with music students for 32 years, guiding more than 1,000 students across every grade level from preschool to college. At Seton, music classes are offered to all students. Throughout the year, students are moved through a variety of experiences, including learning about rhythm, playing instruments like drums, triangles, and shakers, learning to read rhythmic notation, playing mallet instruments, learning about melody, harmony, and reading pitches. 

As Seton School strives to fulfill its mission of helping students “develop personal and academic excellence in the Catholic Tradition,” the artistic formation in music and art take their place in helping to form the whole student “more than ever in the image of God.” The students are currently illustrating this year’s school theme, “Faith Can Move Mountains,” inspired by Mt  17:20, and will be featured in the Spring Art Show and music concerts in May.