A mosaic of colors covering a wall at the Middle School. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

There is no artistic master greater than the child. I’m sure many local parents can agree with this. From toddler to teenager, the artistic works of many of the South Tama students were on display recently during this year’s first set of parent/teacher conferences.

High School art Teacher Nathan Doran put out a gallery of his students’ work to be seen by parents and faculty alike. The art ranged from sculpture to painting with everything in between. Doran strives to make sure that every medium is available to his students, including pencils, colored pencils, pen and ink, markers, watercolor, acrylic paint, chalk, charcoal, chalk/oil pastels, paper mache, plaster, cardboard, wood scraps, fabric, craft materials, and digital mediums.

STC’s younger artists, however, have been keeping things simple. Elementary Art Teacher Anna McBride has her students work with construction paper, watercolor paint, Sharpies, papercuts, markers, and the like. Each grade is learning a different facet of art’s ever-changing lexicon. Kindergarten is exploring the alphabet and the world of textures. First grade has started working with lines, while second has moved on to patterns. Third grade is having fun examining the vast expanse of silhouettes and color, as fourth is learning lessons in the art of Zentangle.

All of the STC schools make it a priority to display students’ artwork throughout their buildings year-round. The make-shift school galleries highlight everything the kids work so hard on, from the superbly crafted to the amazingly original.

“I like for students to be able to see their work displayed in the hall as they pass by each morning, and for their teachers to be able to see what they have been doing when they come to my class,” McBride said.

Some delightful paper art from the elementary. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

The high school not only displays its student’s art in its galleries but on its walls. Amazingly painted murals bespeckle the hallways like windows into other worlds. Currently, Senior Ciela Ornales is working on putting her stamp on the school. However, a few hoops have to be jumped through first, as Ciela’s design has to be approved by both Mr. Doran and the building’s administrator before brush gets put to wall.

Doran has even thought about extending the mural fun out into the community.

“I would love to combine my efforts with my students as well as the current amazing art teachers in our district,” he said. “The mural done in Toledo by Mr. (&) Mrs Rosario has inspired me!”

The mural fever has even spread down the hill to Mrs. McBride, who wishes to one day make something similar happen at the elementary. A gorgeous mural both inspired by and partially painted by her students.

All three of STC’s art teachers dream big for their students. From longing for wonderous murals around town to the hope that one day, the elementary will get a kiln so the students can learn the fun of building with clay. These teachers work together, dreaming big so their student’s dreams can be colossal.

A line of exquisite jack o’ lanterns at the elementary. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

“I believe Ms. Lane (Middle School Art Teacher) and Mrs. McBride (Elementary Art Teacher) are doing great things in their buildings and are building the foundation that is encouraging the fantastic art students I get when they become high school students!” Doran said.

Many big art projects are upcoming for the schools, maybe even one that involves a crossover between all the buildings. The future is bright for South Tama’s art programs as the students learn and grow with paint under their nails and pencils behind their ears.

Middle schoolers wonderous projects on famous artists. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

Two beautifully colorful pieces by high schoolers. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

A line of stunning paper creatures at the elementary. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS

Several different marvelous pieces of art done in several different types of mediums on display at conferences in the High School. PHOTO BY MICHAEL D. DAVIS