A new subdivision has sprung up overnight in Western Springs, but the innovative designs aren’t meant to last for long.
The cardboard development showcases students’ creativity on the front lawn of Field Park Elementary School. It’s one of the art appreciation projects offered by the Parent-Teacher Organization.
Passersby are treated to a look at a lighthouse, haunted house, dog house, pancake house, gingerbread house and an inside-out house with furniture fastened to the exterior. The fun house offers small visitors the chance to enter, pass a fun mirror and crawl through a winding tunnel.
Kirsten Rachford, a parent who coordinates the program, said she opted to revise an all-school project and take it outdoors four years ago to share student artwork with the community.
“We stress to the kids that it’s just up for one week. It’s temporary, but no less important,” Rachford said. “We take as many precautions as we can and pick materials that are OK outside, but stuff happens. Sometimes something blows away.”
An exceptionally windy day Monday sent parent volunteers in search of the 3rd-graders’ Green House, decorated with recycled items, which blew away from its foundation. After a few repairs, it was back in its spot.
Rachford and parent volunteers brought supplies and determined a theme for each grade or classroom, and students flushed out the details.
“We all got to make three things, a gingerbread boy or girl, a gumdrop and a mint,” said 4th grader Keira Boyd.
Annie Scodro said members of her 4th-grade class made individual houses out of small boxes, which were fastened together as a house.
“I liked how we each got to make our own house and decorate it,” Annie said. “You chose a box and could draw a door or window, and the parents would come by and cut it out.”
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Classmate Theo Bourgeois said he liked how they tiny houses looked when lit up by a battery-operated tea light inside.
The students said they understood the potential for damage from wind or rain for public art, but the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
“It’s such a cool thing if you drive by, you can look at all the houses,” said 4th grader Charlie Austin. “The parents have complimented all the houses. They loved the ideas we had.”
Annie said she appreciated the opportunities volunteers provided.
“The parents took a lot of time creating all the ideas,” she said. “I like that it’s outside and a lot of people go there to see it after school.”
Keira said she enjoyed working together with classmates and seeing all the finished products from other grades.
“I liked how it’s not a competition, and it’s just about enjoying each other’s art,” she said.
Projects other years included tree decorations, tepees and large food sculptures last year, said Rachford, an architect and designer. Working with three-dimensional projects provides more opportunities as an outlet for artistic expression, she said.
“One of my main philosophies is it’s good to fail as an artist. Art is about problem solving,” she said. “It’s about figuring out how to make your ideas work. You always learn from the experience.”
Volunteer Kristin Axelson said kids love the art appreciation program and so does she, especially while walking around the classroom.
“They are all working on the same project, but each child’s work is always so unique,” she said.
Axelson said she appreciates how students learn other skills while expressing their creativity and learning about art, artists and history.
“They need to show patience when sharing materials, focus on their work, perseverance and problem solving when the project isn’t coming out the way they may want it to, and a willingness to try something new,” she said.
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