School gallery brings artists to students

Over the course of the past year, not only have Abram Lansing Elementary School students had the chance to see professional artwork in their school's new art gallery, they have learned from visiting artists and hands-on experiences.

Recently, author and illustrator Steven James Pertruccio visited the school on Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 27, to discuss his watercolor painting methods with students and how they would go about illustrating a book. To coincide with his visit, his artwork was hung in the school's gallery during February and March.

During his visit, Pertruccio gave students a blank book called "Fish Wish" and walked them through the story and how they might develop a cover and corresponding illustrations for the book. On Thursday, a few students had a chance to eat lunch with Pertruccio and talk to him about how he became an illustrator.

The gallery, built in 2007, occupies half of a classroom. About 10-20 works can be exhibited at one time, depending on their size.