Carla Stolte, Art Specialist and Community Activist

Author and Theologian Howard Thurman once said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” This is a key quote that has driven me in my work. 

I work as the art specialist at Mount Royal School. In 2014 I had the opportunity to oversee a project for my students that was designed to help them think about the importance of community.

"The Penny Project has been one of the highlights of my career. It isn’t every day that an elementary art teacher has the opportunity to allow her students to shine in such an amazing and powerful way."

The premise behind this initiative, The Penny Project, is simple but also profound: students made use of the no-longer-circulating copper coins to create sculptures of what represents community to them. 

Fifteen unique sculptures were the outcome of The Penny Project.

Beaming with confidence and emanating a sense of accomplishment, my elementary students partook in a VIP gala where their pieces were auctioned off. The student sculptures raised over $13,000 which was donated towards education for the children of low-income families.

The Penny Project was a harmonious collaboration between my passion for arts and education. The Penny Project has been one of the highlights of my career. It isn’t every day that an elementary art teacher has the opportunity to allow her students to shine in such an amazing and powerful way.

Carla Stolte was named one of Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40.