Students in Wawasee’s art and CTE classes are working toward the opening of Chartreuse Talent Student Gallery. The opening is scheduled for early December.
Shown working on art work that will be sold in the gallery are, clockwise from left, Sophia Framer, America Benitez, Tobias Pressler, Rylin Vanlaningham, Justin Martinez and Olivia Woolwine. Photo by Lynk Klinefelter.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE  — Students involved in a variety of art classes at Wawasee High School are working hard to create a gallery of student art that will not only showcase their work, but be available for sale as well.

Christi Ziebarth, art teacher and professional artist, is teaching her students her signature technique. She’s teaching them a new spin on historic mosaic, using upcycling scraps of vinyl and metal for the mosaics.

Diane Miller’s ceramics class is busy making vases and other small vessels that will also be available in the gallery offering unique Christmas gifts.

“Each piece has to pass the test of being marketable,” Ziebarth said. We’re creating a business…Every decision made is kid driven.”

All the artwork will be competitively priced and students will receive profits from the sale of their own work. Artistic prints will also be available online at spinmosaic.com.

The Career/Technical Education building is providing a room where the public can access and see the art. “We’re transforming it. We have furniture on order from Polywood,” Ziebarth said noting the importance of community support for the project.

In addition to their own art, the students are also creating a piece of public art for the new Parkview Hospital currently under construction in Fort Wayne. The students were invited to participate in the project after Ziebarth had someone reach out to her about doing a piece of public art for the hospital. She suggested involving her students in a community collaboration.

“I’ve noticed there is a spark when students realize their talent contributes to their community.”

CTE is providing a showroom/gallery large enough for the public and community leaders to see what the kids can create for a public space. Ziebarth said the collaboration between the CTE students and art students is extremely important.

Students in the welding class are making a sign for the showroom using a laser cutter, while students in the woodworking class are creating shelves to display the artwork that will be for sale. Student Max Rager, whose family owns a powder coating business, will be powder coating the metal sign himself.

Students in the marketing class are working on a marketing plan. Lynk Klinefelter, a student photographer, has been busy documenting the students journey towards the opening of the gallery.

The building trades class has painted the walls of the gallery and will be putting the furniture together.
“They are excited to the moon and back,” Ziebarth said. “I have been teaching since 1995 and I’ve never seen them so excited.”

Noting it takes an entire school community to make the gallery successful, Ziebarth is grateful for the support from school administrators.

Ziebarth expects the students to outgrow the gallery space within a very short time frame.