Visual Arts Students Create Holiday Box Sculptures for Community

Art teacher Laureen Thomas and student Sha'Lois Croom display an assortment of the decorative boxes created from recylecled materials.

Recycling, creativity and holiday cheer were all wrapped up in mixed media box sculptures designed by students in Ms. Laureen Thomas’ visual arts class, just in time for Christmas.  Inspiration for this art project was the work of American Abstract Expressionist sculptor and painter David Smith.

Beginning with a variety of cardboard containers in all geometric shapes and sizes, students chose crayons, paint, feathers, colored string, ribbon, pipe cleaners and duct tape to design their own packaging patterns.  Painted coffee filters tissues were used to line the boxes and hold candy filling in place.

“This is the third year of the project. Originally, we wanted to do something special for staff members,” noted Ms. Thomas.  “Candy and monetary donations from other staff have helped make the project a little better each year.” 

When Cleveland Public Library Collinwood Branch children’s librarian, Erica Marks heard about the box sculptures, she invited Ms. Thomas to display them for the community to enjoy and then gift the artsy keepsakes to patrons.