Father Sal Pilato likes to think of a Catholic education as a four-part connection.

"It's about the mind, soul, body and heart," says the principal at Junipero Serra High School in Gardena. While the mind is strengthened by the academics, the body by athletics and the soul by prayer and a celebration of the sacraments, it's the student heart that is nourished by art education.

"Art is an expression of what is in the heart as well as the talents God gives us," says Father Pilato. "Sometimes it is a beautiful heart, sometimes it is sad, but the heart helps us relate to all aspects of our lives."

Indeed, a survey of art education at Catholic schools in the Los Angeles Archdiocese reveals a wide tapestry of students learning how to express what is in their hearts. Some schools seem to gravitate toward fine arts while others are more expressive in music programs --- much depends on staff, budget and community desires.

All in all, graduates of Catholic high schools are required to have participated in two semesters of fine arts, a traditional requirement of entrance to University of California schools.

This year, two schools in the archdiocese were nominated for the Music Center's annual Bravo Awards which are given to public and private schools in the county for exemplary art education programs.

Reflecting the depth and dedication of all Catholic schools, these two --- Our Lady of Loretto Elementary in Los Angeles and Junipero Serra High School --- typify the creativity and, often times, challenges many schools go through in order to provide quality art education.

'Bring back music'
When she became principal at Our Lady of Loretto in 2003, Fidela Suelto was told by then-pastor, Divine Word Missionary Father Walter Miller, to "bring back life into the school; bring back music."

"There was a big need to incorporate a formal music program not just into the school, but with our liturgies," says Suelto.

After hiring Cristopher Avendano as a music teacher who also serves as a liturgy coordinator and substitute teacher ("We had to recruit someone who could do all, considering our budget" explains Suelto), the students at Our Lady are now exposed to weekly music programs as well as voice, guitar and piano lessons as after-school activities.

But it's the choir that has really excited the students, who must audition for a chance to be apart of the experience. Last year, the choir performed not only for their school community at Christmas and springtime but at other churches in the area. They also produced a CD of their works including an original composition, "The Loretto Hymn."

"It's very exciting for the students to have the CD of their voices," says Avendano who adds that the discipline of music carries over to other aspects of students' lives. "When we practice --- we do it twice a week for an hour --- they have to be focused and ready and that can be hard to do. But they see in the end, it's worth it. They are building up confidence."

Raising self-esteem
Creating an environment when young people can raise their self-esteem is what art instructor Tim Boyer strives to do at Serra High.

A graduate of the school, Boyer has watched many shy and inward-facing students blossom because of an art connection. "We had one student who was such a hard case, acting out a lot," he relates. Boyer took that student under his wing and helped put together a portfolio which ultimately got the student into Otis College of Art and Design --- one of 20 students Boyer has mentored who have gone on to various art colleges.

Teaching the language and vocabulary of art at the freshman level, Boyer is excited when students take the basic skills they have been practicing over and over, and create something themselves. He was proud when a student, inspired by a Salvador Dali painting, incorporated that style and feeling in a truly original artwork.

"Everyone has some form of creativity instilled in him or her, and your job is to find how to bring that out," he sums up.

And for those students who probably won't go on to a career in art, Boyer says that art teaches them the value of patience and perseverance, especially when repeating a certain movement or trying to capture a feeling.

Armed with a degree in Graphic Art and the experience playing football with the first World Football League, Boyer sees art as a way for older students to learn about social situations as well as a venue to express themselves.

For example, Boyer routinely gives his student an assignment to create a piece of artwork that answers the question: "How do you feel about what Jesus is doing for you today?"

Student pieces that depict beauty and thanksgiving, Father Pilato would agree, certainly show off a heart/body/mind and soul connection.