Back in the Fall, two local entities approached Vernon Elementary School Art classes about the possibility of students producing artwork for their respective businesses, and on Wednesday art teachers Sandie Parmer and Aaron Burr took a group of students and delivered that artwork to Tyson Foods and the Wilbarger Humane Society.
“They asked us about providing some artwork last Fall, but our art classes are taught during the Spring semester, so we didn’t get to start working on anything until after the Christmas Break,” Parmer said.
Tyson’s request was for artwork to hang in their hallways to not only help brighten up the hallways, but also to bring some of the community into the building. In a newsletter to their employees Tyson officials stated the artwork would represent a “connection to home – these colors were put down by our children and grandchildren. It’s a reminder that our work here supports their dreams there.” The artwork also brings a rebirth “taking a place we know well and giving it new life, new energy, and a new sense of pride.”
The newsletter added the artwork was about the future. “Rural towns stay strong when they grow from the inside out. By bringing the community into our workplace, we aren’t just making bacon; we are building a culture that our kids will be proud to inherit.”
The projects for Tyson included a giant sunburst along with painted, recycled CDs and DVDs.
“For the giant sunburst students painted individual rays using warm colors of tempera paints,” Parmer explained. “The collaborative project for the school this year is painting recycled CDs and DVDs in bright colors that will be wired together and hung on the walls of our school. We painted extra CDs to use for Tyson’s project.”
Last year’s school-wide collaborative art project had students drawing 3D name cubes with markers and decorating them. This year’s second grade students made their 3D name cubes for the Tyson project.
This morning Mrs. Parmer and Mr. Burr, along with Mrs. Lori Woods and Mrs. Jovita Fernandez took Mrs. Woods’ class to the Tyson plant to deliver the artwork.
“Mrs. Woods’ class was selected to help deliver the projects because her class had the most students who had a parent or grandparent who works at Tyson,” Parmer explained.
On hand to receive the artwork were Tyson officials Dane Bonfy, Kirk Eggleston, Tamika Toombs, and Justin Martinez.
The Wilbarger Humane Society was looking for ways to not only introduce the non-profit organization to youngsters, but also add a little something special to the celebration when an animal is adopted by its furever family.
“The humane society provided paper bags for our students to decorate,” Parmer said. “They always send items home with newly-adopted animals, and now those items will go home in a decorated bag. Our students really enjoyed decorating the bags.”
The students also visited the humane society this morning and delivered the bags to Sue Ann Streit.