The students of O.P. Earle Elementary recently worked with artist in residence, Bob Doster, from Aug. 21-22.

Doster is a sculptor based in Lancaster, South Carolina. He is the owner and operator of Backstreet Studio. He has been creating custom pieces of art and teaching for over 50 years.

At O.P. Earle, Doster worked with third through fifth-grade students on creating self-portraits that will be turned into a steel, collaborative piece that will become a part of the O.P. Earle campus.

Students worked with Doster by using a plasma torch to cut their self-portrait out of steel.

A Kessler Cultural Evening took place on Aug. 21 to showcase the artist and students involved. Students, families and community members were invited to partake in the evening.

These residencies were made possible through the Mary F. Kessler Fund of The Polk County Community Foundation.

Goals of the grants are to:

• Provide community outreach, establish a positive relationship in support of the arts, and to increase community and cultural awareness by encouraging participation through this project.

• Provide STEAM based educational opportunities for the community and to enrich the lives of local citizens through the arts.

• Enhance the knowledge and understanding of cultural diversity in  arts integration through school-wide, district-wide and regional professional development.

• Make quality arts experiences available to all school-age children during the school day, through Artists in Residence and partnerships with local art resources.

• Create memories through the naming event, Kessler Cultural Evening, designed around the focus of the Artist in Residence.  The historic Landrum Depot location was chosen to welcome more community involvement and to further support partnerships with Landrum businesses.

– Submitted by Dawn Mason