Caledonia — Students from Caledonia Community Schools had a hand in honoring veterans with their artistry at this year’s ArtPrize event.
“Celebrating America,” a project envisioned by Caledonia residents James and Kelly Dentler, challenged second- through eighth-graders to create art based on what being an American means to them.
James Dentler currently serves as a senior logistics noncommissioned officer for the Michigan Army National Guard.
Patriotism Through Creative Young Eyes
The Dentlers invited almost 2,000 students from Caledonia’s elementary, intermediate and middle schools, as well as Walker Charter Academy, Schoolcraft Elementary and VFW Camp Trotter to paint and draw people, places and symbols representing America on small wooden discs.
Caledonia Elementary fourth-grader Janessa Munger said she decided to paint a patriotic symbol on her disc.
“I did a heart and the American flag inside of it, because we love America … I used thin Sharpies to make all of the stars,” she said. “This is my Mona Lisa.”
Completed discs were collected from each school and made into ornaments to hang in a featured ArtPrize 2024 exhibition, “Art For Honor,” on display at the entrance to Veterans Memorial Park in Grand Rapids.
“We wanted to create something large-scale and patriotic to … draw people in to see the entire exhibit,” Kelly Dentler said.
Kraft Meadows Intermediate art teacher Candi Price said her students were “so excited to be a part of ArtPrize.”
During class time, she helped them look through art books to see how other artists used their love of the United States as inspiration.
“The students were able to make personal connections to the kinds of things our veterans and active military are fighting for,” Price said. “There was everything from flags and hamburgers, to freedom from slavery and (access to) clean water represented by students.”
What is “Art for Honor?”
A partnership between local artist Pamela Alderman, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and Kent County Veterans Services, “Art for Honor” is created by veterans and is meant to promote dialogue and empathy.
Inspired by her interest in American history, Caledonia Elementary fourth-grader Blessed Karageya said her artwork was inspired by what she learned in third grade about the Civil War era.
“I drew a flag with the word ‘freedom,’ because back in the 1800s, some people weren’t treated as well as others,” Blessed explained, “but then someone (fought) for them and then they were all free.”
In their artist statement, the Dentlers wrote, “Our project aims to celebrate the diverse beauty and cherished elements of America through the eyes of its youngest citizens. … By inviting children to paint what they are proud of or what they love most about America, we hope to foster a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the opportunities and blessings that living in this country affords us.”
They added that they hoped ArtPrize visitors would feel inspired after seeing America through “the creative eyes of this young generation.”
“In a world filled with challenges, these small paintings serve as a reminder of the beautiful landscapes and diverse cultural elements that make this great nation.”
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• His first mission: Honor Fighting Scots who served
• Student musicians tour Europe, performing along the way
