Jessica Marlar, left, and Vicki Stewart look over some artwork done by Big Spring High School Students. The works are currently on display at the Big Spring Area Chamber of Commerce. (HERALD photo/Steve Reagan)

By STEVE REAGAN     
Staff Writer
Some Big Spring High School students recently took an artsy approach toward understanding their community.

About 30 advanced art students at BSHS have put their favorite impressions of the community on canvas and their work is currently on display at the local Chamber of Commerce building.

BSHS Art Teacher Judy Tereletsky said the project's aim was to get the students more active within their community.

“Every year we have the kids make soup bowls for the United Way's 'Empty Bowls' fund-raiser,” Tereletsky said. “This year, we wanted to have a project where the kids could be involved with and take pride in their community.”

The result was the “2, 2 and 2” project — On a six-panel canvas, each student would draw their impressions celebrating local history, food and arts.

To prepare the students for their efforts, Tereletsky took them on field trips around the community to familiarize them with different aspects of Big Spring life. Then she turned them loose.

“This was our first big project of the year,” she said. “They started in September and it took them about four or five weeks to finish.”

Community projects are nothing new to Tereletsky's charges. Aside from their work helping with the United Way campaign, the students have also provided illustrations for children's books and Christmas decorations at area elementary schools.

All that work is designed to instill an appreciation for the community within the students.

“I was born and raised here,” Tereletsky said. “I know how it is with kids when they reach a certain age — they can't wait to get out of here. But this town has a lot to offer ... if they would look around and get involved, they'd realize just how good they have it here.”

Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331 ext. 234 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it