Introduction to ‘Signs of Hope’
With thoughtful text from Mara Rockliff and bold artwork from Melissa Sweet, ‘Signs of Hope’ is a dynamic and inspiring book for art lovers everywhere. This vibrant picture book biography presents readers with the life and art of Sister Corita Kent, a nun, teacher, and artist who inspired countless students to see the world through a different lens.
The Vision of Sister Corita Kent
Written from the perspective of one of Sister Corita’s many students, ‘Signs of Hope’ depicts the lessons she taught about art and the world around us. She encouraged her students to see ‘what everyone else sees, but doesn’t see.’ For Sister Corita, art was everywhere—in street signs, billboards, and even the signs at the grocery store. This revolutionary nun taught the art of the ordinary, emphasizing that there is no right or wrong way to create art; there is just art.
A Classroom Like No Other
From her messy and exciting classroom, Sister Corita encouraged her students to think outside the box. She gathered words clipped from magazines, excited to see what these words might be arranged to say. With her bold works of art, she celebrated and marched for peace and justice during the anti-Vietnam War movement, capturing the world’s attention.
Rich and Layered Artwork
Mara Rockliff’s text is clever and thoughtful, while Caldecott Honor recipient Melissa Sweet uses watercolor, collage, and mixed media to create colorful artwork that is bold and richly layered. The illustrations take inspiration from Sister Corita’s own pop art. Quotes from Sister Corita and those she found inspiring are interspersed among the illustrations, enhancing the narrative’s depth.
The Legacy of Sister Corita
As the book culminates, the student narrator inspires readers to share what they have learned with others. This final appeal, transitioning to the handwritten quotes from Sister Corita’s former students, reminds us that ‘she didn’t teach us how to draw or paint so much as she taught us to care.’ Together, Mara Rockliff and Melissa Sweet have created a beautiful book that urges us all ‘to make art all our lives and to make our lives art,’ echoing the timeless teachings of Sister Corita Kent.
