D181 Schools Support Hurricane Relief Efforts Through Shell Art

Several District 181 schools are participating in a fundraising collaboration called “Seashells for NJ Shores.” The program is the creation of New Jersey elementary art teacher Suzanne Tiedeman, whose school was affected by Hurricane Sandy. Young artists across America participating in “Seashells for NJ Shores” are creating small pieces of seashell-inspired art that have been sold to raise money for organizations assisting in the hurricane relief efforts, including the American Red Cross.

At Walker School, each student brought home a unique seashell-inspired art piece that they created and suggested a donation of $3.00 be returned. Items ranged from zen line art to word art and color-stamped shells. Prospect and Monroe School students also participated. At Prospect, 5th grade students produced printed artwork using the Tagxedo website to combine their own line drawing of a shell, relevant words, and technology.

In addition to the small scale artwork made by each student, special pieces were created by students from Walker and Monroe School, as well as students in Butler School District 53. The special pieces were made available for silent auction on December 12 at Art & Antique Center of Oakbrook, where the owners donated the use of their 10,000 square foot galleries to fourteen elementary schools participating in the “Seashells for NJ Shores” project. The event raised more than $5,700.