Tryon Elementary School students have created a piece of art that will remain at the school long after they move on to new classrooms and new schools.
Students across the school participated in an artist-in-residence experience that resulted in a large steel sculpture built from outlines of their own hands.
Working with Tryon Elementary art instructor Parker Mullinax and visiting artist Bob Doster, each student first traced a hand. Students then worked hand-over-hand with Doster to use a plasma cutter to cut their drawings from steel.
The individual steel hands were then incorporated into a larger sculpture, creating a permanent piece inspired and shaped by Tryon Elementary students.
The project gave students an opportunity to experience an artistic process far different from a typical classroom project while contributing to something shared by the entire school.
It also supported Tryon Elementary’s use of arts integration, an approach that connects artistic experiences with learning in other subject areas. Through the residency, students were able to explore creativity, participate in hands-on learning and contribute to a project designed to strengthen the school community.
Doster has spent more than 50 years creating art and teaching others. Among his honors is the Elizabeth O’Neill Verner Governor’s Award, South Carolina’s highest recognition in the arts.
The residency was funded by the Polk County Community Foundation.
