Leechburg Area High students combine efforts to create art aimed at encouraging kindness
A collaborative art project at Leechburg Area High School is promoting kindness.
“Kindness Comes in Every Color” will showcase the works of advanced art students with 20 individually painted jigsaw puzzle pieces assembled into one large display.
“In a time of crisis like a pandemic, these art projects are especially therapeutic for the students, and it gives them nice reflection time,” said Shayle Prorok, Leechburg High School art teacher.
Prorok said she wanted to create this project for her students in response to what she said is increased anger, hate and bullying on social media.
“I thought this would be a perfect time to do a project that represents we all can be different, but when we stand together, all of our different pieces fit together to make something beautiful,” Prorok said.
Students are using oil, acrylic and gouache (French watercolors) paints or pencils to create a literal or figurative design of kindness on 1-foot-square wooden puzzle pieces.
About 20 students are participating. Puzzle themes include pop art, rainbows, cats, clouds, succulent plants, nautical, inspirational quotes and landscapes.
Sophomore Alexa Zanotto chose to go ultra-bright with her puzzle design: three lightning bolts on a neon background.
Senior Dylan Marangoni chose a tree design.
“I recently learned drawing trees,” Marangoni said, “and this is neat because it shows how each student interprets kindness.”
Friends Tyler Foley and Lucas Hilty teamed up with a theme involving sign language.
“We are going to spell out HOPE in sign language for our two puzzles,” Lucas said.
Tyler said during these difficult times for all, kindness is needed more than ever.
“I think people are being a little nicer, in general,” Tyler said, “and we’re all coming together.”
Prorok said the project should be completed within the next two weeks.
Karen Freilino, Leechburg Library’s board president, said the finished project will be displayed as one of the monthly featured exhibits in the library window.
“We’re very proud of the students and happy to have a place to display their talent and creativity, so the whole community can enjoy it.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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