Our Mission
Presentation Arts Center promotes community and creativity through affordable visual and performing arts education.
Our Impact
History
Presentation Arts Center (PAC) is a community outreach ministry of St. Ann Parish in Normandy, MO. Our communities of Overland and Normandy are richly diverse in age, culture, economics, education and faith traditions. Our mission is to promote creativity and community through affordable visual and performing arts education. PAC strives to achieve this through beauty, creativity and ingenuity. Children are discovering their innate artistic abilities and they are learning life lessons – one note and one brush stroke at a time under the tutelage of volunteer professionals. Older adults realize their hidden talents and forge friendships through drawing, painting, pottery and quilting groups. All children’s programming is free; there is no cost for music lessons books; practice instruments are loaned at no cost. The fees for adult art classes cover supplies. PAC prioritizes the needs of vulnerable people, recognizing and respecting each person’s dignity and promoting solidarity among people of differing races, faith backgrounds, ethnicities and zip codes. PAC is located in the Ritenour School district, which is witnessing a demographic shift to a more ethnically diverse population including families from Mexico and Central America. With new ties to the Normandy School Collaborative, a community with challenging economic statistics and diverse demographics, PAC aims to build rapport, thus expanding its network.
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PAC provides affordable visual and performing arts lessons, class and camps for low-income children and older adults. Our visual arts programs served 84 unique students in 2023, with many taking multiple offerings. Our youth music lessons served 37 students in 2023, with an additional 50 children on waiting lists. By offering arts education in a racially and ethnically diverse, socio-economic/lower income area, in an accessible neighborhood setting, PAC helps narrow the accessibility and affordability gap for our underserved populations.
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PAC has grown over the last seven years from a pilot piano lessons program and parish craft class to a thriving center for arts education. PAC’s primary components are 1) year-round visual arts classes for adults and youth; 2) free performing arts camps for children; drama and dance camps for youth; 3) free private guitar and piano lessons for children ages 6-18; 4) a quilting group for senior adults.
Administrative Staff
Sister Brenda Fritz, DC, MSW
Director & Piano Instructor
Originally from Cape Breton, Nova, music is in Sister Brenda’s DNA. Her musical roots can be traced back to Scotland and generations of accomplished Scottish musicians. In addition to being a musician, Sister is also an experienced non profit administrator. All of her skills and experience come together allowing her to fulfill her dream ministry as a co-foundress of Presentation Arts Center.
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Sister Brenda earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from DePaul University, School of Music, Chicago, IL. Additionally, Sister earned a Master of Social Degree from Loyola University, Chicago.
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A classically trained pianist, Sister is passionate about introducing her piano students at PAC to a variety of styles and of piano music, music theory, and solid piano technique. Sister’s social work background undergirds her teaching approach, “teaching life lessons one note at a time.”
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Sister Brenda also serves as the Director of Parish Music at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Maryland Heights. Sister Brenda is a Daughter of Charity from the Province of St. Louise in St. Louis, MO.
Jane Luft
Visual Arts Coordinator & Instructor
I am a lover of all visual art forms and have been drawing since I was a very small child, almost to the point of obsession. I am a ‘self-taught’ artist, so I am continuously learning from others. I teach drawing and acrylic painting in a realistic style, so each artist knows the general rules. Only then, can they manipulate those rules & create artwork in their own voice. I’m very fortunate to be able to share this passion for art with both children & adults here at PAC. Some influences for me are Norman Rockwell, Chuck Close, Leonid Afremov & Wassily Kandinsky. I have 3 grown children and I live in Overland with my husband and our 4 legged child, Bruno.
Jessica Graham
Strategic Plan Coordinator
Jess is a St. Louis transplant but has officially now lived longer in St. Louis then “home”. She has a social work background; having worked in youth programs in science and arts education. She is a Girl Scout Troop Leader who loves a good DIY, crafts, and reading. Her favorite color is teal and her favorite sweet is ice cream. Though she didn’t attend high school here, she did go to Washington University for Graduate School. She and her husband and two girls live in Overland. Her oldest has attended visual and performing arts camps at PAC and her youngest can’t wait for her turn. She joined the administrative team for PAC in spring 2024.
Collaborators
& Funders
