Students craft ‘No Place Like Home’ works
September 24, 2008 · Dave Morris

Students in each of the Mount Vernon schools are taking part in a community project - "There's No Place Like Home" - that will bring their art and support to flood victims in Eastern Iowa.

Original art by the students that focuses on the concept of "home" is being produced. The art by those who wish to share their work is being framed and then will be distributed to interested flood victims through human services agencies.

"A lot of care is going into this," said Laurie Zaiger, high school art instructor. "Students are finding it quite meaningful. Our thought was as teachers we see these disasters far away, but this is a way to help." Elementary art teacher Sarah Fitzgerald noted that the project was quickly embraced by her students.

"They like it. We talked about the flood in general and they all have a connection," she said. "One of the points is that one of the last things on the (flood victims') list is buying artwork, but it's most important and kids see that."

Some of the students' art will be on display at the Lincoln Highway Arts Festival. Visitors will have a chance to help support the project and defray the cost of frames through donations.

Fund-raising for framing is being handled through the district's Fine Arts Association. Fliers are being distributed through the schools and local businesses. A $10 donation buys one frame, and a $5 donation buys half of a frame.

Zaiger sees community donations for the framing as a logical extension of the students' work. "The community can be involved not only by donating money for frames, but to write a sentiment. Not just students, but anyone."

Each grade level is using different materials in creating the home-centered art. While the elementary is using crayons, ink and some watercolor, the middle school students are using markers, watercolors, colored pencils, oil pastels and scratch techniques. High school students are presenting their ideas with landscapes, tiles, photography, a comic strip and more.

Teachers at each level fostered classroom discussions about the concept of "home" as they encouraged students' creativity.

Ken Hallinan of the middle school noted, "As the new teacher to the school, I was happy to start the year with this assignment because it helped set the tone I wanted for the middle school art program. I wanted to see art as going beyond the classroom experience, as a way to help people and as a way to become involved in the community through their creative efforts."

Sam Krapfl, 9, a fourth grader, showed off his work with obvious pride and noted, "I thought it would be cool to have someone else have it, especially if they don't have a home."

In addition to creating art, students wrote down their thoughts about what the concept of home means to them. These thoughts will be mounted on the back of the framed art.

The idea for the project came from Zaiger, who lives in Cedar Rapids and had been trying to support flood victims "at arm's length with donations." But that didn't seem to her to be enough.

"This seemed to be a wonderful opportunity to share artwork," Zaiger said. "It seemed to be the perfect thing for Mount Vernon, since we are such an arts-based community."

She noted that the more thoughts aimed toward the flood victims, the better. After several months of recovery work, "now they're pretty much on their own," and the project lets them know that someone cares.

"I hope for a minute anyway it relieves someone's anxiety and brings a smile."