Milton community creates Mariner Middle art project

Pastel pencils in hand, Mariner Middle School students poised over their papers, ready to layer and smudge bold colors and shapes. 

Their assignment: draw a fish. 

But not just any fish; students sketched fish self-portraits, the first step of a community project led by collaborative muralist John Donato, Mariner art teacher Linda Rapchak and support from The Freeman Stage.

The Freeman Stage’s arts in education program brings visual arts into every Sussex County middle school. In 2017, the stage partnered with Donato to create a legacy mural project in schools, and turned to him again in 2018 for a new project, moving pastels.

“We had an idea and asked John to be our partner again,” said Alyson Cunningham, the Freeman Stage communications and public relations manager. “The project is funded by The Freeman Stage, but it is really the community that allows us to bring these projects to local students.”

Donato knew immediately he wanted to work with Rapchak on the project because of their successful collaboration on the legacy mural. “She brings out the best in everyone,” he said.

So, the two artists brainstormed, and created a concept combining portraiture and technology.

“John came up with the idea of moving fish pastels and creating a stop-action film with software that came with the computers so the students are able to use it,” Rapchak said. “The project aligned with national art standards and our core standards.”

“People always enjoy drawing fish,” Donato said. “Fish have distinct parts. You can change the whole dynamic with just one element like the eyes or a fin. I stage it so they’re not afraid of it, they trust me and will jump right in and swim with the project!”

The two artists presented the idea to students at a pep rally. In the classroom, Donato demonstrated drawing techniques, and developed a template for them to use while sketching their own unique fish. 

“They’re whimsical fish, not reproductions of actual fish, so students have enough freedom to create and personalize them,” he said. “The fish are all completely different, and made up of parts that suit the artist.”

Students incorporated their own personalities in their fish self-portraits. Depending on the artist, some fish were drawn as “feisty,” “determined” or “brave.” Others were “loyal,” “trustworthy” or proudly “weird.”

“They also learned to take a mistake and turn toward a better path,” Donato said. “We told them not to erase anything, but to always move forward and just change strategy.”

Rapchak agreed. “The ability to create and process outcomes will transcend into other areas of their lives,” she said. “They’ll learn to stick with something even if they make a mistake.” 

Mariner’s science teachers allowed students not enrolled in art to leave class and draw their fish in the art room.

“This project got every kid in school in the art room this year, and really boosted the arts in general,” Rapchak said. “Many kids had never created artwork before, and it wouldn’t have worked without the cooperation of all staff.”

Teachers created their own fish self-portraits during a staff meeting. Parents and community members were invited to Evening of the Arts to draw their own fish.

“I’m a big proponent of bringing parents and the community together,” Donato said. “The kids were able to show and explain the process to their parents. The room that night had lots of energy. It was an exciting way to reach beyond the classroom to show what we’re doing on a grander scale, and involve more people. And they got a good art lesson out of it!”

By the time the Mariner Middle community finished their drawings, more than 700 self-portrait pastel fish had been created.

Donato documented all studio sessions with still and video photography to create a 12-minute, stop-action video, a photographic process that can take hours for each scene.

“I had to capture the energy, excitement and sweat in the film, and I hope that’s what we did,” he said.

Students and families were invited to the video’s premiere directly before Mariner’s semi-formal dance May 25. Students - and parents - cheered and clapped throughout the video.

“Seeing their reaction made it all worthwhile,” Donato smiled.