Artsy collaboration for local schools
A series of murals made by students line the Jefferson Avenue side of Washington High School.
One of the student-made murals is on display at Washington High School.
A close-up of one of the murals on the side of Washington High School
A series of murals made by students line the Jefferson Avenue side of Washington High School.
The Rural Arts Collaborative of Washington County will host an event from 4 to 6 p.m. May 18 at Citizens Library, 55 South College St., Washington, to celebrate the work of students from several Washington County schools.
Funded by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, RAC places teaching artists in classrooms to enhance and support arts education curricula and place student-created artwork throughout the area.
Washington High School, Washington Park Elementary, Clark Alternative School and McGuffey middle and high schools participated.
Pittsburgh artist James Simon worked with Washington High School students to create a number of ceramic legs. The final student sculptures will be installed at sites throughout Washington, including one at Wash High and one at Citizens Library.
“What an amazing year it was to see James and the students working on artwork that would eventually be recognized throughout the city,” Superintendent Dr. Roberta DiLorenzo said in a news release. “The project gave the students a sense of ownership and pride about their work and totally enhanced their arts education experience.”
Hiromi Katayama, Japanese water colorist and resident of Washington County, divided McGuffey students into teams to create traditional Japanese panel art.
Students studied Japanese culture and made their own paint using Japanese traditional methods. One of the panels will be dedicated to Citizens Library, one will remain at McGuffey and several others will circulate throughout Claysville.
“We were absolutely thrilled to have Hiromi with us for an entire academic year,” McGuffey Superintendent Dr. Erica Kolat said.
“Not only did her instruction enhance and support the art curriculum, but students learned to understand and respect another culture – an amazing project for us.”
Laura Jean McLaughlin, a mosaic, mural and ceramic artist from Pittsburgh, worked with students at Washington Park Elementary to create mosaic murals that are permanently displayed at Washington High School.
She also was responsible for creating the mosaic mural recently installed at the Main Street Farmers Market on South Main Street, although this was part of another community development project for the city.
Mural artist Dianne Addams worked with Clark Alternative School in Washington to create decorative murals on the walls in the school. They also will create an installation piece to be completed this summer.
“This project and Dianne have both been a blessing for our school. It’s given our students a sense of commitment, ownership and self-esteem, and they cannot wait to be recognized,” Principal Craig Hummell said.
“This is the type of project that is at the heart of our Arts-in-Education strategic initiative – school districts, teachers, students and artists working together to create art to enhance their communities and development student cognition and well-being,” said Dr. James Denova, vice president of the Benedum Foundation.