Every artist had to start somewhere, and some future artists are getting a great start in Jerry Wilson's classes at Estherville Middle School. Wilson also teaches Art I and II at Estherville High School where he's joined there by art instructor Dan Hewitt.
One recent assignment for seventh-grade students was glue and chalk pastels. The object of the exercise, said Wilson, was for students to show how a light source creates three-dimensional surfaces. Students emphasize highlights and shadows in the assignments by blend from one color to another.
Wilson had students use glue for a solid outline, much like a stained-glass window.
Fifth-graders are doing self-portraits and they've also competed in a Red Cross poster contest - a great way to explore commercial art, said Wilson.
Eighth-graders did 12 proposed yearbook cover designs in colored pencil which will be displayed in the district central offices.
Wilson said students always have the opportunity to exhibit two- and three-dimensional art pieces in a display case at the school.