Volunteers continue to bring art to PIE
Earlier this year, the news broke that due to budget cuts, art at the elementary school level would only be offered on a limited basis. In typical Pine Island style however, a small group gathered to find an answer to this problem.
“As an artist, I know personally how important art is to all students. I developed an interest in art when very young and had it not been for the nurturing and encouragement I received during my school years, I am sure my road would have taken a much different turn,” said WildChild Gallery owner and PIE volunteer, Peggy McTeague. “In addition to reading, writing and arithmetic, the arts play a very important role in the development of a child and I am pleased to be able to do my share in helping to keep the art program going at Pine Island Elementary.”
McTeague has been working with fifth grade students on a mosaic project in the school courtyard.
“The kids are doing a fantastic job creating mosaic designs on two tables with benches and we will have completed them by the end of the school year,” McTeague said. “We are thankful to the Matlacha Mariners and the Hookers for donating the tables and benches. Without their help, this project would not have been possible.”
The volunteer art program at Pine Island Elementary began in in February and will continue until the end of May. Coordinating the classroom projects has been local artist Diane Maher.
“Our goal has been to bring a mixture of mediums to the children and have incorporated a variety of art forms in our projects,” said Maher. “Much of what we have done has been out of the ordinary as far as typical elementary school curriculum and the kids as well as their teachers have had a good time learning new ways to create art.”
During the course of the semester, the children have created masks, mosaic flower pots, jewelry, clay projects and more.
“We are particularly excited about the clay bowls the children have made this year. They were instructed by artist Ann Harrison, who taught the children how to craft the bowls using only their feet and they are just beautiful,” said art volunteer Deb Cundall. “The bowls are so nice that we are working on using them for a raffle we have labeled as Kids for Seniors. It is our hope that we will raffle of the 10 bowls and all of the proceeds will go to a charity for senior citizens on Pine Island.”
All funding for the art lessons conducted by the volunteers has come from donations from the Pine Island community. Donors include the Cundall Foundation, the Matlacha Mariners, Matlacha Hookers, Pine Island Growers, Fort Myers Art Fest volunteers from Pine Island and more.
“This has really been a community effort, and I have to believe that there is not another quite like it in Lee County. But that comes as no surprise, because that’s how we do things here on Pine Island,” said Cundall.
PIE principal Rob Mazzoli expressed his gratitude to the art volunteers. “I sincerely appreciate all that these volunteers are doing for our kids. I am sure we are the only school in the district which is able to offer art when other can’t,” said Mazzoli. “Pine Island is an amazing community and we are very lucky to have our school here where a community truly cares.”
The art volunteers also have made an effort this year to help the students realize the importance of recycling as well.
“Some of our projects have included items such as bottle caps, broken ceramic plates, discarded CD, newspapers, and mesh onion bags,” said Maher. “It is our hope that the students will take what they have learned about recycling and share it with their families.”
Cundall, Maher, McTeague and approximately 15 volunteers will offer the art classes again next year and at this time are in need of funding to purchase supplies. Those who would like to make a contribution are asked to send checks to the Pine Island Elementary School and indicate on the memo line that the funds are to be directed to purchase art supplies. Donations also will be accepted at the WildChild Gallery or Traders Hitching Post in Matlacha.
For more information, call Peggy McTeague at 283-6006, Diane Maher at 246-3930 or Deb Cundall at 292-6886.