Mission Moment

Dear Covenant Families,

Here’s a bit of trivia for the Bible scholars in our community: Who is the first person in the Bible described as being “filled…with the Spirit of God”? The answer is Bezalel, found in Exodus 31 and chapters 35-38. But who in the world is Bezalel?

Bezalel was from the tribe of Judah and was chosen by God to construct and oversee the work on the tabernacle—including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of the Bread of the Presence, the golden lampstand, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering, the basin for washing, and the priestly garments. He was chosen because he was an artist. Alongside a fellow craftsman, Oholiab from the tribe of Dan, Bezalel represented the idea that beauty matters in worship. Bezalel’s calling reminds us that the arts are not secondary—they are central to worship and formation. At Covenant, we take that calling seriously. We have an enormous task in the arts because we are called to shape affections, train students’ minds, and help cultivate virtue.

This past weekend, we were blessed with four incredible performances of Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Macbeth. The acting was spectacular, the directing full of imagination, and of course, the story itself is among the greatest in literary history. A special congratulations to April Miller for her brilliant direction—her thoughtful vision and leadership brought the production to life in powerful and creative ways.

But why do we call Macbeth a masterpiece? After all, the play is filled with witchcraft, betrayal, and death—so why would we celebrate such a dark tale?

Because Macbeth does what all great literature must: it reveals deep truths about human nature. Shakespeare’s tragedy explores ambition, guilt, temptation, and the corrosive effects of unchecked desire. It forces us to wrestle with the consequences of sin and the loss of moral clarity. Through Macbeth’s downfall, we see how a single step off the path of righteousness can lead to total ruin—and yet, we also glimpse the human longing for meaning, for restoration, and for justice. This is precisely why we engage with challenging stories at Covenant.

This is art’s deeper purpose. As Aristotle wrote in Poetics, “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.”

As we approach the end of the school year (hard to believe it’s already April!), I invite you to pause and take time “to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple” (Psalm 27:4). This season marks the culmination of the skills our students have learned and refined throughout the year. More importantly, we pray that they will continue to recognize and pursue beauty in their artistic journeys.

You’ll have several opportunities to see their work on display in the coming weeks:

• Grandparents Day – April 11
• Senior Art Show – April 25
• Logic Fine Arts Festival – May 1
• Rhetoric Choir Spring Concert – May 2

Each of these events highlights the remarkable artistry our students have cultivated this year. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating their creativity and growth.

Dostoyevsky famously wrote, “Beauty will save the world.” While the world often seeks beauty in superficial places, we recognize that true beauty—the kind that redeems, restores, and inspires—ultimately points us to Christ. In every brushstroke, every note sung, and every line spoken on stage, we glimpse something greater than ourselves.

Non Nobis,

Michael Attaway
Director of Fine Arts