Two pieces of art created by Poughkeepsie City School District elementary students are on display at Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Projects from Morse Elementary fourth graders and Warring Elementary fifth graders swept the Third-to-Fifth-Grade category of Dutchess County government’s inaugural “America Recycles Day Art Challenge.”
The Morse group, students from Dylan Tully’s class under the guidance of art teacher Melissa Cascio, placed first and the Warring students under art teacher Kathy Orza took second. Both pieces will be on display at the FDR campus’ Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Educational Center through Dec. 4.
The contest, in honor of America Recycles Day, Nov. 15, challenged students from across the county to create art using recycled materials.
A group of 10 Morse students were honored for a two-dimensional depiction of the Mid-Hudson Bridge against a background of water, mountains and sky titled “Fantastic Recycling Mid-Hudson Bridge.” They used plastic water bottles, tin foil, butterfly paper clips and beads, among other items.
“I wanted the students to do something that meant something to our community or maybe our world,” Cascio said. “We talked about different structures that may be significant – the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building – one of the students came up with the Mid-Hudson Bridge. We voted and the kids wanted to do it.”
While Cascio said she helped guide the project, “this is kids’ work,” she said. “I really believe in kids’ work. I’m not touching it.”
Student Paola Vega-Salvadore sketched the bridge, using a photo Cascio took as a reference. The rest of the class then brought the image to life with shards of reused items, paint and glue. Vega-Salvadore said she was surprised when she learned it had won.
“When we were working on it, it at first didn’t look very good,” she admitted, though she said liked what they had made by the end. Her favorite part, she said, was beads used to mimic the lights on the bridge.
Classmate Harmony Mahone said “My favorite part is the water,” which consisted of cut water bottles glued against blue paint. “I liked putting the paint on it and holding it down so they would stick. It was fun.”
A second group of Morse students created a separate submission, a three-dimensional diorama of the bridge using tin foil, beads, toy cars and old pencil sharpeners.
While the 2D project was dubbed the winner, students were torn on which they preferred. Creating both, Cascio said, was part of the lesson. “I wanted them to compare the two,” she said. “Not to look at it as ‘Which one is better?’ but seeing both perspectives. They’re both beautiful. They’re both different.”
The Warring project, created by 69 students, was called “Until You Spread Your Wings, You'll Have No Idea How Far You'll Fly,” and depicts roughly 50 butterflies launching off a blue background.
The students created the butterflies out of seltzer bottles and colored them in using Sharpie markers. Orza said it “means the world” to the students to be recognized for their work.
“It validates their artistic ability and boosts their confidence,” she said. “I also think it is important for them to know their artwork is seen outside of the classroom in the community.”
The competition was open to all students in grades K through 12 across the county. A winner and runner-up were selected for each of four grade groups: K to 2, 3 to 5, 6 to 8 and 9 to 12. According to the county, entries were judged on creativity, clarity and how well the work reflects the description of its goal.
A reception at the Wallace Center for the honorees was held Thursday and County Executive Sue Serino issued commendations. Both Morse and Warring are planning in-school ceremonies for their students.
