Hello, my name is Ann Phillips. I am the Fine Arts teacher here at Lourdes. I grew up in Central-West Texas and graduated college from Stephen F. Austin State University (East Texas) with a BFA in Fine Art, minor in Human Development; and a Master’s of Education from CSU. I am also a professional artist having shown various artwork around the Denver area since 2006. My mother was also an artist and sculptor and encouraged my creative gifts from an early age. Growing up in a Christian home in the rural west, I learned to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounded me with many excursions to the old family farm and camping trip to the San Juan mountains in the summers. My eyes, heart and mind were always open to see windows into His eternal creation around me and helped develop my artist style.
I come to Lourdes with diverse educational experience. I have taught in Littleton Public Schools as a para-professional K-5th grade for seven years; and as a substitute teacher k-8th grade at Littleton Preparatory Charter School. I also taught Art 5th-9th grade through the Aurora Public Schools Option program.
I love teaching real Art here at Lourdes with the classical curriculum. The wonderful staff, students, families, and parish community are amazing and so supportive. It is a joy to be able to integrate the Truth, Beauty, and Goodness of our faith with Art. For there is no other real basis to truly teach Art. We are made in the image of our Creator; therefore, we are made to create and reflect His Beauty, Truth, and Goodness to the world around us. As St. Teresa of Calcutta so wisely said “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.” St. Francis echoes this reality saying “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”