The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art

Educational Activities

School Projects:

Student Art Works Unveiled
The young artists of Putnam County High School were honored on Friday, May 21, 2010 when their beautiful, large tile mural mounted on plywood was unveiled at the school. The students participated in OP Art: Opportunities for Employment and Empowerment through the Visual Arts, a Steffen Thomas Museum Arts Outreach Program. This was the second year of a three-year project designed to introduce students in the tri-County Lake Oconee area to careers in the visual arts and the importance of ecological responsibility. For details of the program, please see the article directly below (Putnam County High School 2009-2010). The mural consists of portraits of visual artists on recycled tiles at work in the offices and studios of a large city. Set in a beautiful frame built by Ricky Moore of GA Power, it is now on permanent display at the school.

Putnam High School students along with art teacher, Paige Barlow (far right), local artist, Peter Muzyka, and STMA Lead Artist, Karen Strelecki (far left), admire the final product of their art project – a handsome tile mural mounted on plywood.

A similar Op Art program also took place at the Morgan County CrossRoads School this past semester. After presentations by professional artists, students painted job title logos of careers in the visual arts on recycled ceramic tiles during 16 weekly in-school workshops taught by STMA Lead Artist Karen Strelecki, assisted by Ian Hicks, Nancy Vaughan, Martha Lower, and Dick Whalen. During a ceremony at the school last March, all the students received Certificates of Participation, and awards were announced for the finest pieces. Finally, the students, working with the museum's professional staff, used the prize winners as inspiration for a large painted tile and wood mural, which was unveiled during a ceremony at the school on Wednesday, May 19th, 2010. It is now permanently installed on an exterior wall of the school building near the entrance.

Morgan County CrossRoads students admire the results of their efforts – a large painted tile and wood mural now on permanent display at the school.

Putnam County High School 2009 - 2010
Op Art:
Opportunities for Employment and Empowerment through the Visual Arts. In October 2009, STMA’s Arts Outreach Program and the art students of Putnam County High School launched the second year of OP Art, the museum’s three-year project to introduce young people in the tri-county Lake Oconee area to careers in the visual arts and the importance of ecological responsibility. During Phase I of the program, working professionals, including an architect, potter, T-shirt and textile designers, and a graphic illustrator, spoke to a group of 9th to 12th grade art students about careers in the visual arts. Lee Glenn, a Georgia Power representative, discussed water conservation and the nature of the water cycle. Next, STMA began 16 weekly in-school art workshops (eight in the first semester and eight in the second). Under the guidance of STMA Lead Artist, Karen Strelecki, and assisted by local artist Peter Myzyka, students painted illustrations of careers in the visual arts on recycled ceramic tiles. In February, STMA held an awards ceremony at the high school acknowledging the young student artists who took part in the program. All the students received Certificates of Participation. Awards were presented for the most outstanding pieces selected by a jury of local artists. First Place went to Seth Whitehurst for his rendition of a video game designer (see below), Second Place to Chelsea Bennett (cake designer/decorator) and Third, to Diana Mendoza (cake designer/decorator). Wendy Navarrete, Dan Yan and Elvira Munoz received Honorable Mention awards. The tiles are on exhibit at the museum through March. For Phase II of the project, a small group of students, working with professional artists, will use the prize-winning selections as the inspiration for a large tile mural mounted on plywood in the form of a triptych. Once completed, the mural will be unveiled during a ceremony at Putnam High this spring. A similar program is taking place at Morgan County CrossRoads School. STMA thanks the following for making this event possible: Bank of Madison; Georgia Power – A Southern Company; Georgia Power Foundation; The Herald-Journal; HouseSmart; David Crawford, CPA; DreamTeam Technologies; Frances Wood Wilson Foundation; Jim Boyd & Associates; Morgan County Citizen; Smith Communications, Inc.; Madison Studios; Vanishing Rural Georgia Art; Whidby Jewelers; Walmart; C.R. Bard; The Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta – Morgan Fund; Central GA EMC; R.E.M.; and Yellowbook.

Seth Whitehurst accepts his first place award during a ceremony held at Putnam County High School on February 17th. Presenters are Lisa Conner, STMA Acting Director (left), and Karen Strelecki, STMA Lead Artist (right).

Greene County High School 2008 - 2009
Op Art:
Opportunities for Employment and Empowerment through the Visual Arts. In the fall of 2008, STMA’s Arts Outreach Program launched the first year of Op Art, its new three-year project designed to introduce students in the tri-county Lake Oconee area to careers in the visual arts and the importance of ecological responsibility. The program began with a mixed group of 9th through 12th grade art students from Greene County High School. Working professionals with a wide variety of experience, education and training spoke to the students about opportunities in careers related to the visual arts. Guest lecturers included an illustrator, textile and fashion designers, a floral designer and fine artists. Lee Glenn, a Georgia Power representative, spoke about water conservation and the importance of keeping Lake Oconee water and shores clean by the proper disposal or recycling of discarded items. In addition, STMA presented 16 weekly art workshop sessions to the participants (eight weeks in the first semester and eight weeks in the second). Under the guidance of STMA Lead Artist Karen Strelecki, and assisted by local artists Barbara Kimbrough and Joanna Ralston, students then created small wire sculptures made from recycled wire and metal. The sculptures were exhibited at STMA, Greene County High School and BB&T Bank in Greensboro. In January, awards were presented for the most outstanding works at a ceremony held at the school. Finally, a small group of Greene County High Students, inspired by the award-winning selections, worked with professional artists to construct a wire sculpture diorama depicting a lakeside scene. The end result is now displayed in a beautiful sculpture case created by Ricky Moore, a Georgia Power employee, and permanently installed at the GA Power Parks Ferry Recreation Area. STMA thanks the following for making this event possible: Georgia Power – A Southern Company; Georgia Power Foundation; Reynolds Plantation Foundation; David P. Crawford, CPA; DreamTeam Technologies; Frances Wood Wilson Foundation; Jim Boyd & Associates; Smith Communications Madison Studios; Vanishing Rural Georgia Art, and Whidby Jewelers. Students in Putnam and Morgan counties will participate in the second and third years of the project, respectively. The program was also presented to the Morgan County CrossRoads School (see below).

Greene County High School art students proudly display their wire sculpture diorama of a lakeside scene, now a permanent installation at GA Power’s Parks Ferry Recreation Area at Lake Oconee.

Morgan County CrossRoads School 2009
Between a Rock and a Hard Place:
The Winter/Spring Garden. During the winter/spring 2009 school semester, STMA Arts Outreach Program initiated a joint undertaking with the Morgan County CrossRoads School: Between a Rock and a Hard Place – The Winter/Spring Garden. The program, conducted by STMA staff and volunteers, focused on both art and gardening. Students were assigned to two separate groups. Master Gardeners Linda Thoman and Dick Whalen, taught the garden group how to design, plant and cultivate a winter-spring garden on the school grounds. Bruce Morrill, owner of Old South Landscapes, served as consultant. He also arranged the delivery of donated rocks from Lafarge Quarry and planting mix from Haynes Farms. Tripp Pickles volunteered to transport the supplies to the school. Under the guidance of STMA Lead Artist, Karen Strelecki, the art group constructed small wire sculptures made from recycled wire and metal depicting the vegetables and beneficial insects that might be found in the school garden. The students then combined their efforts to create a single large art piece, “Bob the Scarecrow,” now on permanent display in the school garden. During a special picnic luncheon held at the museum on Tuesday, May 19th, each participating student received a certificate of participation, and awards were presented to the first, second and third place winners. The four-month project also included a segment from STMA’s Op Art Program (see above). Working professionals were invited to speak to the students about opportunities in careers related to the visual arts. STMA is most grateful to the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta - the Morgan Fund, Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, CR Bard and Georgia Power Foundation who made this program possible.

STMA Lead Artist, Karen Strelecki, presents award-winning CrossRoads students with their prizes and certificates.

Morgan County Elementary and Middle schools 2007 - 2008
Oceans of Possibilities:
Nature, Science and the Visual Arts. In October 2007, STMA’s Arts Outreach Program and the art students of Morgan County Elementary and Middle schools began the final year of Oceans of Possibilities, a three-year project made possible by the generous sponsors listed below. The program focused on nature and science as a source of ideas for the visual arts, as well as how art can be used to bring awareness to the urgent need to safeguard the waters of Lake Oconee. During Phase I of the 2007/08 project, art students from the Morgan County Elementary and Middle schools produced watercolor paintings inspired by local rivers and streams. Well-known artist and award-winning book illustrator, Lindy Burnett, conducted the 18-week workshop. During phase II, local professional artists selected the best creations. With their help, the students assembled a large mural containing elements from the award-winning paintings. The mural is now permanently displayed in the main lobby of the Morgan County Aquatics Center. STMA thanks the following for making this event possible: GA Power – A Southern Company; GA Power Foundation; GA Council for the Arts; Walton Press, Inc.; Jim Boyd & Associates; DreamTeam Technologies, Inc.; Frances Wood Wilson Foundation; Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete; Reynolds Plantation Foundation; Smith Communications, Inc., and Sotheby’s International Realty – Lake Country.

Emily Stinnett points out her contribution to the Oceans of Possibilities mural created by Morgan County Elementary and Middle School students now on view at the Madison Aquatics Center.

Morgan County CrossRoads School 2008
Oceans of Possibilities:
From Garden Gate to Dinner Plate. For the 2008 spring school semester, the STMA Arts Outreach team completed a parallel Oceans of Possibilities project at the Morgan County Crossroads School. During “From Garden Gate to Dinner Plate,” a four-month, three-part program, students studied a variety of life cycles in nature through art, cooking and gardening. Under the direction of master gardeners Linda Thoman and Dick Whelan, one group of students planted a beautiful garden of perennial flowers and herbs at the school. The second group, taught by STMA BOD member Anne Gilleland, learned how to prepare food using the herbs they grew themselves. Lindy Burnett, STMA Lead Artist for the project, instructed the third group in the creation of botanical illustrations of plants and flowers chosen by the students. The study sketches were displayed at STMA’s annual Celebrating Creative Lives reception on February 23rd. In addition, the young artists made illustrated plant markers for the Lafarge Quarry Nature Trail in Buckhead. Artists from the Morgan County Senior Center assisted with this part of the program. The markers were exhibited at an unveiling luncheon and reception held at Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete picnic pavilion on May 20th. The menu for the luncheon was devised by the student-cooking group to incorporate sauces prepared using herbs from the school garden. STMA is most grateful to Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete and The Community Foundation Of Morgan County, as well as to our many other Arts Outreach Program supporters: GA Power Foundation; GA Council for the Arts; Walton Press Inc.; The Frances Wood Wilson Foundation; DreamTeam Technologies; Jim Boyd & Associates; Smith Communications, Inc.; Sotheby’s International Realty – Lake Country, and Reynolds Plantation Foundation.

A CrossRoads student unveils his illustrated plant maker created for the Lafarge Quarry Nature Trail in Buckhead.

Steffen Thomas Museum of Art
Arts Outreach Program
History

The Inspiration

Early in his career, Steffen Thomas was commissioned to do portrait busts of two Southern educators, Martha Berry, founder of Berry Schools in Rome, GA, and George Washington Carver, the world renowned “Wizard of Tuskegee.”

Both Miss Berry and Dr. Carver were dedicated to helping educate young people from the rural South. Inspired by these two great Americans, Steffen Thomas decided he also wanted to do something for his new adoptive country. In the late 1930s, he took a job as Art Supervisor for the National Youth Administration (NYA), a division of the WPA program begun by FDR. He traveled throughout the state to vocational schools, supervising the establishment of art programs for young people in rural Georgia. As a result of his work with the NYA, Steffen became a life-long advocate of vocational education.

When the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art was established as a single-artist museum dedicated to the life and work of Steffen Thomas, it was a natural progression to create an arts education program for residents in the surrounding rural communities. The founding Board of Directors of STMA was especially interested in offering programs that would enhance the cultural education of local school children.

Every year since 2002, the Steffen Thomas Museum Arts Outreach Program has presented unique, in-depth programming in the Lake Oconee tri-county area. As part of the Program, public works of art by local school children have been permanently installed in each of the three counties – a lasting testament to the children’s creativity and the Museum’s dedication to serving the community.

2006-2007 Oceans of Possibilities: Nature, Science and the Visual Arts: In year 2 of a three year program, Putnam County High School students created underwater paintings to illustrate their understanding of the importance of water conservation. Student designs were used in a 3’ x 5’ student created mural, which is on permanent display at Georgia Power’s Lawrence Shoals Recreation Area on Lake Oconee. A parallel project was presented at Morgan County Crossroads School, with their mural installed at the Lafarge Quarry Nature Trail in Buckhead, GA.

2005-2006 Oceans of Possibilities: Nature, Science and the Visual Arts: In year 1 of this three year program, sixth graders at Carson Middle School used a reverse painting technique to illustrate their understanding of the importance of protecting the waters of Lake Oconee. Student art and poetry were incorporated into a large permanent display at Georgia Power’s Old Salem Recreation Area on Lake Oconee.

2005-2006 Bird House Project – Museum staff worked with at-risk youth at Morgan County CrossRoads School to build and decorate birdhouses. Seniors from the Morgan County Senior Center worked with the students in the final stages of construction, and the brightly decorated birdhouses were installed in strategic locations around Morgan County.

2005 Art on the Go -- STMA partnered with the Morgan County Family Connection and The Madison Artists Guild to present art workshops at a summer camp for at-risk youth ranging in age from 5-17. Various art techniques were introduced to the 75 campers in this program.

2004-2005 Music as Muse – Students at Morgan County Middle and High Schools used music as inspiration for creating clay sculptures. A large clay sculpture, based on the top designs, is on display in the Morgan County High School foyer.

2003-2004 Words Evoking Images - Working with STMA staff and local artists, eighth graders at Putnam County Middle School created individual paintings inspired by literature. An enlarged painting of the top designs is on display at the Putnam County Board of Education facility.

2002-2003 Protecting Mother Earth – Under STMA staff guidance, the Greensboro Dreamers created an illustrated poetry anthology, which includes poems inspired by the need to protect the environment, written and illustrated by this group of underprivileged Greene County third graders.

2001-2002 Mosaic Project: Fifty students from Morgan County Middle and High School participated in a project that taught the art of mosaics. Sundance, a 4’x8’ mosaic mural created by students, is permanently installed at the Morgan Memorial Hospital Transitional Care unit.

Past Program Sponsors include: Central GA EMC, C.R. Bard Foundation, DreamTeam Technologies, David P. Crawford, CPA, Frances Wood Wilson Foundation, GA Council for the Arts and the Grassroots Arts Program, GA Power–A Southern Company and GA Power Foundation, Greater Atlanta Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta-Morgan Fund, Jim Boyd & Associates, Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete, Madison Studios, Morgan County Citizen, Reynolds Plantation Foundation, Smith Communications, Southeby’s International Reality – Lake Country, Tri-county EMC, Vanishing Rural Art of Georgia, Walton Press.

We rely on sponsors and members like you to make these programs possible

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