This past week, third graders at Myers Elementary School in Bellwood had a lot of fun working with wood.
Artist Peter Frantz, from Sinking Valley, was on hand all week to work with the third graders and help create their wood sculptures.
Frantz worked with each of the third grade homerooms for a full day. In the morning, students learned about sculpting and then had the chance to create their own pieces of art in the afternoon. Once the sculptures were completed, students were then able to visit different areas set up within the classroom to paint their projects.
Several parent volunteers were available throughout the process to help students with things such as gluing and painting their artwork while Miss Smith continued preparing more pieces of material.
Yesterday, after each of the third grade homerooms spent a day working with Frantz, two presentations were held for the rest of the elementary school.
Students’ work was also displayed in the elementary school library.
Elementary and Middle School art teacher, Nancy Smith, said she had wanted to work with wood sculptures and when she met Frantz, she knew he specialized in wood, metal and glass sculptures.
“I asked him to come,” said Smith, “and he’s here.”
Smith explained that each year the school invites a local artist to come and work with the kids. It’s always the third grade. Last year, the students worked with clay and in previous years they worked with stained glass and paper mache.
“This gives the kids exposure to other artists,” said Smith, “They have me for seven years so this is nice for them.”
Students were allowed to bring in their own items to use in the sculptures but Smith said she provided a lot of the material. The high school shop also donated some of the wood for the third graders.
