Kimberly Magowan

Kimberly Steil Magowan has taught art for 19 years. Currently, she serves as the Art teacher and Librarian at St. Mary’s School.

Her Catholic faith holds a place of priority in her life. Art, along with teaching, have been long-standing passions. She earned her degrees at SCI and UIS and completed hours toward a Master’s Degree in Theology. She feels both honored and blessed for the opportunities she has received to practice these passions in service to her faith. She believes that God guides individuals where He needs them, provided they place their trust in Him.

Inspired by Fra Angelico, who was beatified by Pope John Paul II and prayed for Divine Inspiration before beginning each painting, she sees a connection between art and prayer. She believes both are human activities that facilitate access to the Divine: prayer directly, and art indirectly, through the appreciation of the truth and beauty of the represented object. Both disciplines help students perceive the world sacramentally, as a manifestation of God’s truth, goodness, and beauty.

Ms. Magowan considers teaching art to be a special gift from God, enabling her to assist others in unanticipated yet meaningful ways, bringing a measure of joy and peace into their lives. She hopes that, perhaps, a student in her art classroom will discover an aspect of God’s Presence that joyfully touches their young life. She believes the joy and peace created through art will remain with them always.