Schools

Student Artists Make a BIG Impression

Results of 8th-grade project grace library at Canton Middle School.

Some 18 students taking Linda Klusek's eighth-grade art course at the beginning of this school year have left a pretty big impression in the Canton Middle School library.

The project involves large food sculptures that are nearly impossible to miss as they grace the book shelves at the library.

Klusek said she assigns the project when students have enough room and materials to complete the project.

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"I like to mix it up," Klusek said. "This is one of my favorites."

The students made sculptures of the food of their choice using a self-adhesive material from FLEXcon. The Massachusetts manufacturer donates unused scraps of the material to art teachers. Klusek said it works similar to Papier-mâché but is not as messy.

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Klusek said the project is inspired by pop art and students learned about artists such as sculptor Claes Oldenburg and painter and printmaker Andy Warhol.

Student Natalie Nardello worked on her shrimp cocktail creation every day for five weeks and spent some time after school to finish it.

"It took me a long time," she said.

Emily Miller and Samantha Anderson found a way to meet the individuality requirements of the assignment and still collaborate by creating a cup of coffee and a doughnut.(Or donut in this case).

"Who doesn't like coffee and donuts?" Miller said.

Teachers are thrilled with the students' efforts and the larger-than-life display.

"The result I saw this time is probably the best I've seen a class do as a whole," Klusek said.

Library assistant Sandra Hurd said the project helps bring attention to the space.

"I think it brings people in," she said.

It has its downside, however.

"I'm hungry all day in here," she said.


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