A variety of art projects created by Ovando and Sunset School students were on display April 20 at Paws Up.
Ovando resident Sawyer Hessler's favorite project was a cut-out cat. The students cut out the tails and the legs and then painted sweaters on the cat. Hessler learned it is hard to cut out a tail. Also if the cat was too chubby, there was no room for the tail and the legs. She enjoys painting and adding her own details to projects.
Ovando's Sadie Smith painted a donkey. Her grandfather's mule named Boot inspired the painting. She used contrasting colors blue and orange. "Boot is a little bit of a baby and he's really old but he loves people and he's my favorite mule," said Smith. Smith said she really loves to draw. She enjoys the freedom Mitchell gives the students to draw what they want.
Jadesa Stevens stands by her collage of a Dalmatian and one flower blooming for the first time in spring. They took shredded paper to create their collage, the animal had to be made of black and white. This year Stevens was excited to learn how to mix colors to made different colors. Her favorite thing to draw is warrior cats.
GREENOUGH – The Paws Up Ranch Reception Barn was filled with Sunset and Ovando student's artwork this past Friday. Students shared the work they had done with their parents and other attendees and the different techniques they learned over the course of the year.
Twice a month for two hours, Art Teacher Ashley Mitchell visits Sunset and Ovando Schools. She has been with the students at Sunset for four years and Ovando for the past three.
"It's kind of cool to see how the students have expanded on the things I've taught them over the years. Generally my goal is to get them as much exposure to different mediums as possible to the point where they can combine them in an aesthetically pleasing way," said Mitchell. "And then having a finished product that they are proud of and I'm proud of."
This year students did drawing and painting projects and used experimental clay, made of toilet paper, joint compound and Elmer's glue to make bowls.
Mitchell said the best part about teaching at Sunset and Ovando Schools is her student's creativity.
"They always come up with surprising things that I never would have thought of," Mitchell said.
She added how much she appreciates the flexibility and openness of the teachers at both schools "to letting me try whatever I want." said Mitchell.
This was the second art show they have done at the Paws Up Resort. They did their first show in May, 2016 and last year joined the Missoula County Public Schools Art Show in Missoula.
"Ms. Mitchell does a fabulous job facilitating these fabulous pieces of artwork that you see here from preschool through eighth grade," said Sunset School Supervising Teacher Toni Hatten. "I feel like we really embrace the arts and appreciate all the work the students put into their projects."
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