Eighth-grade art students at Chardon Middle School painted the town last month with the hopes of spreading holiday cheer.
Under the direction of art teachers Kathleen Dafoe and Kristie Heron, a group of 13 students walked to Chardon Square on Nov. 16 to give a festive flair to the front windows of the Geauga County Maple Leaf’s office at 101 South St. and Chardon Public Library on East Park Street.
Abigail Frania, a student in Dafoe’s visual arts class, was the chief designer of the winter scene painted on the Maple Leaf’s storefront window.
“It’s a cozy home on a winter night, with a snowman outside that kids made,” said Abigail, adding she enjoys art because it allows her to use her imagination.
“It just came to my mind when I thought of a winter scene, so I just drew it,” she explained.
There also is a tree with a cardinal perched on a branch. Abigail’s classmate Nick Cusick designed the cardinal.
Heron credited middle school Principal Doug Higham with the idea for the community project.
“He just thought it would really be neat to be able to have the kids come out and paint some windows on the square so that the people in the community would be able to see the students’ artwork,” she said.
“There are many talented artists at Chardon Middle School who are starving to share their creative works with others,” Higham said. “At CMS, we refuse to allow school building walls to limit our impact with the world.”
Higham said he shared his idea for a window art project with Dafoe and Heron, who he credits for fertilizing it into a beautiful opportunity.
Dafoe explained Chardon Schools takes art to a “whole new level,” believing it is important students be exposed to as many types of art as possible.
“It really helps them in their future and it’s a well-rounded education,” she said. “It really opens up a lot of doors and opportunities for their future, for other career opportunities.”
This year, school officials decided to have some students come out into the community and work together to display their artwork, involving local businesses so the community can see firsthand what the schools are teaching the students in terms of art skills.
“So the students had a contest in the school to create winter scenes and then we chose a few a them to paint on the windows,” Dafoe said.
The art teachers and students picked the winning designs based on skill and what they thought would be a nice representation of their abilities, she said.
It also was important to pick designs that were appropriate for all people, so no one was offended.
All the kids took part in the painting. Some painted the tree, some painted the log cabin and others painted the snowman.
“They all took turns and made this lovely, beautiful winter scene,” Dafoe said.
Added Higham, “This skill of teamwork and collaboration are skills that are much needed in their futures in education and the workforce. This important 21st century skill will ensure a successful future.”
After visiting the Maple Leaf office, the students walked to the library to paint another winter scene, this one with a fox sleeping in the snow and some green trees.
Judy Lasco, youth services director at the Chardon branch, said they were thrilled to have the students offer to paint their window.
“The entire class showed up and took turns filling in sections of the painted scene,” she said. “The library traditionally decorates with lights and snowflakes, but this year, the school’s mural makes our windows on the square even more beautiful.”
Carol Tuttle, the branch’s head of adult services and assistant manager, said the beautiful window will be seen by many community members as they are in the building to use computers, checkout books and attend programs.
“The artwork is visible from the outside and also at night,” she said. “The winter scene the students created is certainly welcome this year, as the ‘green’ weather is not getting us into the spirit of the season.”
Students were excited about the experience and eager to share their thoughts.
Rob Ciscak, a student in Heron’s class, said he received a letter inviting him on the field trip to paint windows.
“I was like, all right, sweet,” he said. “I love art. The people who made the design did a really good job and painting it with my classmates was just fun and awesome.”
Nathaniel Vilardo said, “I’m just really involved with art and am happy I got a letter saying I was chosen to go on a field trip with the other people.”
He said it is important to give back to the community.
“It’s the fact that you’re leaving a mark, telling people that I did this for Chardon representing my school,” Nathaniel explained, adding he enjoyed painting with his classmates.
“I love art,” said Emma Niksick. “As long as it makes people happy, I feel happy about it.”
Other students who painted were Kayley DeAndrade, Jackson Perry, Owen Vokoun, Lauren Gessel, Angelica Lasota, Shannon McFaul, Ethan Sole, Vincent Ferrante and Myles Mendezoon.
“They have such pride in their work. They are so excited,” Dafoe said of the invited students, noting several students asked to go on the field trip were unable to do so due to other obligations.
“We couldn’t bring the entire class,” she added, explaining there are four classes of 30 students in the eighth-grade.
“We were only able to choose 12 to 13 students. Kids were begging us to go and hugging us when they were chosen,” Dafoe said.
She said the invited students were picked based on their art skills, their behavior, their grades and their involvement in school activities.
In the future, Higham said Dafoe and Heron plan to have students create designs and do more window paintings at local businesses for all of the seasons.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to bring students and the community together for the beautification process in which the students can show their creative abilities and be proud citizens in their community,” he said.