Artists provide food for thought

There's nothing wrong with a little showing off.

Art teacher Claudia Wells displayed some of her students' work at a "Meet the Artist" function Tuesday night at Thomson High School.

The event allowed artists to talk and mingle with those interested with their work. Not only was food provided for all of those in attendance, but meal time was featured in the art display as the students' ceramic projects were featured.

In conjunction with the school's English department, several art students took on an unusual project.

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"They first had to pick an artist and then write a paper on the artist," said Wells. "They then picked a style - a painting of that artist that they liked - then painted it onto a placemat, then had to create a plate, cup, and utensils to go with the placemat. I just combined a bunch of lessons - a lesson of art history and studying the artist, and a ceramics lesson. They're very creative."

The result was an astounding display of varying artistic styles and colors.

"It took about four class periods for us to do these, so this is hours of work," said Wells. "These have to be made, dried, fired, and glazed, then fired again."

"This is the first time I've made silverware, plates, and cups," said 11th grader Heidi Coulson.

Her whose set was based on the painting, Still Life by Magnolia by Henri Matisse. The painting is of several colorful vases and jars sitting on a table next to a small circular mirror. Coulson's placemat depicted several of those ornate jars and vases, while her plate was modeled after the mirror.

"I've always been really interested in painting," she said.

Wells noted that the "Meet the Artist" event is an annual gathering, and that it gives the students a great opportunity to showcase their work.

"We've done it before at the Thomson library, but this is the first time we've done it at the media center here," she said.