Fifth-graders put their self images to paper

Hastings Middle School fifth-graders took their own self images, now and for the future, and completed an artwork project. Others can see them now at Pleasant Hill Library.

The triptychs were an idea of art teacher Elizabeth Carroll, who had done a similar project with senior high school students when she was teaching in Chicago.

“I thought this would be fun for fifth-grade students,” she said. “They learned about line quality and composing.”

The triptych, which each student completed, is three panels or sections, which can be connected together. For the students, each did a self image of what they envisioned for themselves in the future. They did the drawing or sketch initially, then placed clear plastic paper over them.

Using markers or acrylic paint, they chose the colors to complete them.

Dylan Tennessen said the project “challenged” him. One of his first choices of himself is as a wrestler — this is his first year of wrestling. There are also images of the Air Force and the National Guard. He has a brother in the military.

“The most fun I had was when I outlining the body on the computer,” he said. His colors are bold and bright.

Curtis Lewison enjoyed this project.

“I like to draw,” he said. “I’d like to be an artist.”

That is depicted in one of his images. Another is of a mechanic – his father is one.

“The best part of this is thinking about how I was reducing the size of the image,” he said.

“When I was younger, my dad would take me to the fire department so I see all the trucks,” said Jake Schultz. That image remains with him today.

“I want to be a fireman,” he said. That is his main image. There is also one of a video game tester.

“I like playing video games,” he said. “And I drew the wrestler because I figured it would be easier to draw. I thought this was pretty easy and fun to add all the detail and color.”

About 120 triptychs are on display at the library through the end of the month.

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