From the very start, the founders of The Heights understood education to consist in the communication of a culture. As culture often enters a boy's mind through his senses, an important means of this transmission is the art and architecture of a school. Indeed, in many ways buildings embody the ideals of an institution.
This week Joe Cardenas, head of mentoring and long-time art history teacher, joins us for a conversation on the importance of beauty in education. Rooting the conversation in the American tradition, Joe helps us see why and how the art and architecture of schools is as important as the books in its curriculum.
As we hear from Joe, the art on a school’s walls become the images adorning a student’s soul. If we want to help our boys be at home in their very selves, the art of schools is an indispensable means to this end.
Chapters
Additional Resources
Adoremus.org's explanation of the Four Seasonal Marian Anthems (includes history and translation)
PDF of Music and Lyrics to Alma Redemtoris Mater from gregorian-chant-hymns.com
Speech on the Rebuilding of the House of Commons by Winston Churchill
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
The Feeling of Things, the Contemplation of Beauty by Joseph Ratzinger
A Catholic Eton? by Paul Shrimpton
Also on the Forum
School Tone, the Most Powerful Teacher with Alvaro de Vicente
Building Little Houses: Why Random Art Projects Are Awesome by Joe Bissex
Manners: The Art of Happiness by Robert Greving
Why Our Politics Needs Poetry with Dr. Matthew Mehan
Five Fruits of a Poetic Education by Nate Gadiano