Student Artwork Turns Governor's Residence, Capitol Office into Winter Wonderland

photo gallery of guests photo gallery of decorations

November 30, 2006

LANSING - This holiday season, artwork made by students across Michigan will deck the halls and trees of the governor's Lansing residence and Capitol Office in the State Capitol.  More than 1,300 students from 49 schools across the state contributed artwork that celebrates the theme: "Michigan - A Land of Winter Wonder."  Students from 30 participating schools accepted the invitation to see their work on display and will tour the Governor's Residence and State Capitol on Friday, December 1.

"This artwork showcases the incredible talent of Michigan students and represents all the joys winter in Michigan has to offer," Granholm said.  "It's great to see kids tap into their creativity while they learn, and I am thrilled to display their inspired artwork in my office and home this holiday season."

The "Land of Winter Wonder" project was made possible through a unique partnership between the Governor's Office, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Michigan public and private schools, teachers, and artist-in-residence programs.  The project was an exercise for students from kindergarten through high school to develop and express their creativity while learning about the winter season in Michigan.  The project also highlighted the link between art and real-world skills.  Students learned to creatively express an idea and address cross-curricular learning expectations while adhering to specific guidelines regarding specific size, theme, and placement.

Each of the participating elementary and middle schools submitted 32 small decorations and 3 large decorations.  The large decorations adorn the windows, while the smaller pieces decorate a 12-foot Concolor Fir tree donated by Wahmhoff Farms Nursery in Gobles and on garlands hung throughout the Residence.  The ornaments also decorate a wreath donated by Peacock Road tree farm in Laingsburg that hangs on the front door of the Residence.  High school students created larger, three-dimensional displays that decorate surfaces throughout the Residence and Ceremonial Office.

The MDE sent out a call for interest that resulted in 104 responses from which 49 schools representative of Michigan's diversity were invited to participate.  The department provided curriculum guidelines and sample activities to each school to serve as springboards for teachers to create learning activities related to the project's theme.

Additionally, choirs and small music ensembles from five schools will perform at the Governor's Residence and the State Capitol during select events during the holiday seasons.

The artwork will be displayed through the end of December and will then become part of the Residence collections.  Photos of the ornaments and artwork will be available by December 12 at www.michigan.gov/gov.  The following schools contributed art to the project:

• Agnes Beer Middle School, Warren Consolidated Schools
• Almont Elementary School, Almont Community Schools
• Andrews Elementary, Three Rivers Community Schools
• Belding High School, Belding Area School District
• Benzie Central Middle School, Benzie Central Community Schools
• Central Montcalm Middle School, Central Montcalm Public Schools
• Cesar Chavez Academy Middle School, Detroit
• Charles F. Kettering High, Detroit Public Schools
• Charlotte High School, Charlotte Public Schools
• Clare Middle School, Clare Public School
• Concord Academy Antrim, Mancelona
• Coopersville High School, Coopersville Area Public Schools
• Detroit High School, Detroit Public Schools
• East Essex Elementary School, St. Johns Public Schools
• Fancher Elementary, Mount Pleasant Public Schools
• Fenton High School, Fenton Area Public Schools
• Gilbert Elementary School, Gwinn Area Community Schools
• Gudith Elementary School, Woodhaven-Brownstown Schools
• Hanover-Horton Elementary, Hanover-Horton Public Schools
• Henry Ford Academy of Community and Performing Arts, Highland Park Public Schools
• Immanuel/St. James Lutheran Elementary School, Grand Rapids Parochial Schools
• Indian Woods/Sparlingville  Schools, Port Huron Area School District
• International Academy of Flint
• K.I. Sawyer Elementary School, Gwinn Area Community Schools
• Lockwood Elementary School, Eaton Rapids Public Schools
• Mancelona Middle School, Mancelona Public School District
• Mesick Middle School, Mesick Consolidated Schools
• Michigan School for the Deaf, Genesee Intermediate School District
• Minges Brook Elementary School, Lakeview School District
• Nah Tah Wahsh Public School Academy, Hannahville
• Neil Reid High School, Macomb Intermediate School District
• New Lothrop Elementary, New Lothrop Public Schools
• Parchment Middle School, Parchment School District
• Reeths-Puffer Intermediate School, Reeths-Puffer Schools
• Riverside Elementary School, Constantine School District
• St. Peter and Paul Catholic Elementary School, Grand Rapids Parochial Schools
• Sacred Heart of Jesus School, Grand Rapids Parochial Schools
• Sault Area Middle School, Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools
• Star Elementary School, Hastings Area Schools
• T. L. Handy Middle School, Bay City Public Schools
• The Da Vinci Institute, Jackson
• Thorne Elementary School, Westwood Community School District
• Tustin Elementary School, Pine River Area Schools
• Union Street Elementary School, Eaton Rapids Public School District
• Walled Lake Elementary School, Walled Lake Consolidated School District
• Washtenaw Technical Middle College, Michigan Charter High School
• Western High School, Western School District
• Wilson Elementary School, Alpena Public Schools
• YMCA Service Learning Academy, Detroit

Choirs or musical ensembles will perform from the following schools:

• Davison High School, Davison
• L'Anse Creuse High School, L'Anse Creuse Public Schools
• Lahser High School, Bloomfield Hills Schools
• Luther L. Wright High School, Ironwood Area Schools
• Redford Union High School, Redford Union Schools

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