Clarence High School, Elementary School Artists Bring Animal Designs to Life

Working across grade levels and artistic experiences, Harris Hill Elementary School students teamed up with members of Clarence High School’s Art Partners to bring a wide range of animals to life.

“They have their own take on it,” said Lily Petho, a junior who serves as the High School group’s vice president. “Some were shy when they picked their animal, but they showed their personality as they made their project.”

This is the second year for the collaborative art project between the two levels, brought to life by the High School students, Scott Gretch, Harris Hill Elementary School art teacher, and Keri Graf, High School art teacher and advisor for the Art Partners.

“It’s such a meaningful collaboration between the two age groups,” Gretch said. “The engagement inspires the elementary students creatively, and it happens naturally.”

Students began their artistic work on April 23 with a High School student reading the book “I Don't Want To Be A Frog” by Dev Petty, which shares a value of being yourself. Students were then asked “If you could be any animal, what would you be—and why?” From there, the creativity unfolded. Colorful packets of Model Magic modeling compound soon became animals like hamsters, frogs, jellyfish, pigs, ducks, dragons and even a giraffe named Giraffey.

“It’s fun to teach them,” said sophomore Katie Cox. “It’s fun to watch them be creative and have their own ideas.”

For the High School students, the mentoring experience helps build their leadership skills as well as fostering traits like empathy and responsibility. Graf said she was excited to hear the organization's students wanted to use the modeling compound, which was not a medium in which she had a lot of experience.

"They were confident coming into this kind of lesson,” Graf said. “It’s great to see them in different roles like this.”