Wildcat introduces Raphael's painting to the students to let them know that the design they chose with Central's arches and historical and contemporary characters will be similar to Raphael's "School of Athens," even in the democratic way both paintings were concieved.

The excitement from this realization, that they are producing real art, that it might look this great or as great as Wildcat's other historical paintings, led one student to offer her string quartet to play at the "unveiling" ceremonies and even teachers to get enthused all over again. Meetings like this let all that witness them know why there are and should always be arts in education.

Epiphany - Creative Energies Spark

Raphael Sanzio: The School of Athens

(© Vatican Museums, Vatican City)

In the magic of this collaborative creative process, Gaia's inspiration, to have her string quartet play for the unveiling of the painting, became the center of the painting itself. It was as if the moment she envisioned the finished painting in her mind, her spirit offered the music to accompany the painting. Wildcat and students agreed to capture that moment, that epiphany, her creative offering and their music forever in the painting. As we chose characters for the painting, their quartet became the center, the heart of the painting.

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