Badin challenge benefits students who don’t have art supplies
A project that fosters imagination for advanced art students at Badin High School has helped area children who may not have much.
Art teacher Sarah Daniels said advanced art students were given the seven-day “Outside the Box” challenge right after their winter break and were to use a new material while developing the same piece each day.
The result was the creation of a plan to provide art kits to children in need so that they also are given the opportunity to be expressive and creative.
“Each day presented new experiences, the opportunity to grow and create,” Daniels said. “The students were so enthralled by the experience of creating artwork which was a completely unique expression of themselves. While working, they discussed how every child should have that opportunity for creative expressions, growth and exploration of art techniques,” she said.
The students delivered the kits to children in the community through the Booker T. Washington Center and St. Joe’s Orphanage.
“Several of our own students have been adopted, which prompted them to contact St. Joseph Orphanage in Butler County,” Daniels said. “Both Samy Broyles, executive director at Booker T. Washington and Hamilton Central YMCA, and Julie Herrmann, regional director for St. Joseph Orphanage Fairfield, were extremely receptive and excited for their kids to receive art kits,” she said.
Any opportunity to collaborate and create relationships between her students and members of the community is life-changing, Daniels said.
“It is planting a seed, and watching it grow. Our students are full of unique ways for community outreach.”
Daniels said that includes the creation of more than 220 pairs of custom athletic shoes for people who deserved them through Art & Sole, rain barrels to raise awareness and money for Save Local Waters, hand-painted cribs to raise money for Children’s Hospital’s maternity wing and more.
“I am sure there will be many more awesome projects,” she said.
In all, the students taking the “Outside the Box” challenge created and distributed 165 art kits. Each kit cost about $20. The students also learned to stay within that budget, which taught them an important life skill, Daniels said.
