“It’s in our nature, as humans, to make art; we do it to play, to explore, to respond to the world we live in. And art is a powerful force for shaping culture. Artists change the world.” says Mrs. Dotsey. Ignite, Seattle Prep’s visual arts and creative writing magazine, has been an outlet for many students to showcase their artistic talents.
Ignite’s leadership team, made up of four junior leaders, has been the driving force behind the art contests hosted this year. Since the Ignite magazine is only published during the annual Arts Week, these contests help spread awareness about Ignite, encouraging more students to join and discover their creative passions.
One of the leaders and artists, Grace McGown ‘26, shares, “I have always loved to write: poetry, short stories, etc. Ignite has helped me find a community and be able to share my art with others.” For Grace, Ignite has been instrumental in building her confidence and helping her feel proud of pursuing something that others might see as “different.”
Ignite has been a part of Prep for many years now, but before Ms. Dotsey became its moderator, it was known as “Second Face.” The name reflected the idea that artists have an alter ego—a creative identity. When Ms. Dotsey took over, driven by her love for art and especially creative writing, she decided to rename it. “I just have one face, my art one,” she said. “I changed it to Ignite because through our art, we can light the world on fire .” Art, she believes, is a powerful way for people to express their thoughts and evoke strong emotions in others.
Ignite connects deeply with Ignatian values like Magis—“the more”—and Cura Personalis—“care for the whole person”. Art’s beauty has the power to lift people up, fulfilling the Magis by inspiring and enriching others. Similarly, Cura Personalis is reflected in Ignite’s mission to provide a platform for students who might otherwise never be fully seen.
Since the art world is a very collaborative space, Parker Tuininga ‘26 reflected on the flexible structure of Ignite’s leadership team, “It’s nice not having set roles because we are able to all work together and help in any part of the club. It makes it much more collaborative.”. Ignite is a place where everyone supports one another in creating art and managing the club, allowing creativity to shine in all aspects.
For many, Ignite is a safe and welcoming outlet for creative expression. It helps students build confidence and embrace their passions. To those who might feel hesitant to submit their work or join Ignite, the team offered this encouragement: “It’s not weird to have hobbies, and being your most unapologetic self will make you so happy. Confidence is key.” Ignite is a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the transformative power of art.
