Kids, community members, make collaborative art project

WASHINGTON — Lincoln Elementary’s Art Service Club set up on the bandstand in Washington’s square last Friday, to work on a collaborative art piece with anyone who happened to walk by.

The project involved dozens of small paper squares, each decorated by different passersby before getting stapled to a broad canvas. Organizers said the final products would go on display in local businesses and the Washington Public Library.

Lincoln Art Teacher Jenny Humphreys said the group typically held similar events once a month with clients at WCDC, but opted this time to open it up for any community members.

“I wanted the kids to be in a really public location, where people could come out over their lunch maybe, and do something with these kids,” she said. “It’s a way to collaborate with the community that we wouldn’t get in the classroom … it’s just a way for kids to communicate with people outside the school, working with adults, and maybe advocating for art in the community.”

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The club circulated postcards about the event to nearby businesses ahead of time, and invited anyone in the area through posts on social media.

For their part, the students said they enjoyed the chance to get outside with their friends, and felt they were learning things while there.

“There’s a lot of things to learn about, like helping others if they need help,” said Lincoln Student Kaitlin Dale.

The participants churned out a wide variety of the decorative paper squares during the event.

Main Street Washington Director Samantha Meyer did her best to replicate an overhead view of the park, while Washington Middle School Student Payton VanderWeide decorated her contribution with small, cutout stars, attached with a glue stick.

Levi Tinnes, an art student from the middle school, said he was trying for a more abstract angle.

“I’m going for like, Picasso,” he said. “It’s just really fun.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com