WATSONVILLE—Students from Ann Soldo Elementary School have been displaying a series of art projects at Cafe Ella on East Lake Avenue since late November.
Art teacher Cami Shaeffer said the idea formed after chatting with Cafe Ella owners Jennifer DeVault and Erika Conrad, who took over the business earlier this year. The cafe often displays pieces by professional and amateur artists on its walls.
“We asked them if that had any desire for student art,” Shaeffer said. “They emailed me in November and said they had a small opening before the holidays… We were able to put something together.”
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Shaeffer’s fourth and fifth grade students created what they call the “Wall of Pumpkins,” with pumpkin-inspired drawings in various mediums. Some stuck to straight-forward images while others created pictures of seasonal lattes and pumpkins coming to life, complete with hands and legs.
In addition, teacher Jane Ferguson’s second-grade class drew a series of “Picasso Portraits,” creations inspired by the style of influential artist Pablo Picasso.
“I think the kids are amazed they get to display their work at a place like this… where adults do,” said Ferguson. “It’s not the same as putting it up in a school hallway.”
When the artwork was installed in late November, the students were treated to their own artist’s reception at Cafe Ella, which stayed open late for the occasion. Ferguson said that the owners had never seen the cafe so full of people.
The art will only be up for a few more days—but Ann Soldo Elementary School plans to reach out to the community and display more of their students’ work.
“Art just makes the world a better place,” Shaeffer said. “But these programs are always at risk, so we as teachers have to be constant advocates. It’s so important to show the impact of art in these kids’ lives.”
