SALISBURY — Shea Homes’ generosity has brushed the Diocese of Charlotte again in the form of a $165,613 grant for an upgraded art room at Sacred Heart School in Salisbury.
When the school was initially built in 2009, a dedicated art room was not included. The space that is currently being used for weekly art classes also hosts music and small group instruction.
To convert the space to a fully functional art room, a wall that was opened to an adjacent classroom will be sealed and soundproofed. Additional storage designed for art supplies and a sink will be incorporated, as well as upgrades to interior finishes to create an environment that promotes creativity. Existing furniture will be replaced with flexible seating that can accommodate students of varying ages.
“Providing a space that dignifies the artistic process sends a clear message to students that their creativity is valued and worth investing in,” Principal Erin Brinkley said.
Thanks to the grant, renovations are planned to take place this summer to be ready for the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic school year.
“This grant is an investment in children, in creativity, and in the mission of Catholic education,” Brinkley said. “On behalf of the students, families, faculty and parish community, heartfelt thanks are extended to the Sheas for making this dream a reality.”
Shea Family Charities is one of the most significant philanthropic supporters of Catholic education across the country, assisting more than 400 Catholic schools with grants providing for renovations, new construction and needed expansion projects.
Over the past 30 years, the charity has granted an estimated $11 million toward school projects in the diocese, assisting St. Ann, Holy Trinity Middle School and Our Lady of the Assumption in
Charlotte, Immaculata in Hendersonville, St. Michael in Gastonia, Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro, Our Lady of Mercy in Winston-Salem, and now the art room at Sacred Heart. From the mountains to the Piedmont to the Triad, the organization has helped Catholic education thrive.
“To witness a family choose to invest so intentionally in a school that holds such significance for so many is both humbling and inspiring,” said Brinkley, who attended Sacred Heart as a child.
“Sacred Heart has been special to me for a long time, and for someone else to invest in the place that I love dearly is hard to put into words,” she said.
The art room was the first item on a list of the growing school’s proposed plans that include a preschool expansion as well as dedicated spaces for music, special education and therapy.
“This renovation was prioritized because the arts form the whole child. Academic excellence and creative expression go hand in hand,” Brinkley said.
The new layout and flexible furniture will allow students to work on projects in creative collaborative workstations. An expansion into an adjacent outdoor space will include a cement patio, outdoor furniture and shaded areas, allowing students to have easy access to be inspired by the beauty of nature.
“This will allow for simultaneous indoor and outdoor instruction, giving students opportunities to sketch from nature and experience art in a dynamic setting,” Brinkley said. “They can learn that beauty matters. Creativity is a gift from God, and they are called to use that gift well.”
— Lisa M. Geraci