By Matt de Simone
Students from Cloverdale Elementary School visited the Botetourt County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to donate the next collection of artworks displayed in the atrium. The most recent additions come from Cloverdale fifth grader Bailey Higgins, fourth grader Franklin Klaus, third grader Tessa Barnes, and second grader Marie Jensen.
The students brainstormed to create a list of their ideas of Botetourt County landscapes, sketched their ideas, and then practiced. After visualizing their ideas, the students then chose their colors and imagery for their final projects.
Cloverdale art teacher Tabitha Connell, alongside her students, shared the pieces of art and presented them to Judge Paul Tucker.
“It’s really been a pleasure having these students in class and I’m so happy they have the opportunity to have their work displayed,” Connell said. “It’s not an opportunity that comes up too often and I know they are so excited for this. Great kids.”
Additionally, James River student Jenna Tucker most recently donated “Landscape,” a painting depicting a winter setting using acrylics.
The art project was an idea Judge Tucker had after seeing student artwork adorning the wall of the Roanoke City JDR Court and thought a similar motif would brighten up the JDR court in Fincastle. A sign on the wall displaying the student artwork notes, “Collectively and individually, these exhibits showcase talented and imaginative young people of whom Botetourt County should be justifiably proud.”
