By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
It is a long walk from Indian Trail Elementary School to downtown Canal Winchester, especially if you are a first grader on a mission, but determination can be a strong motivator.
Such a group of students and teachers made the walk—more than two miles—to a trio of businesses involved in a Project Based Learning endeavor where students solve a problem by creating a solution.
For the artists at Studio 7.5, located above the Harvest Moon Café at 7 1⁄2 N. High St. in Canal Winchester, their dilemma was how to get more people to visit the studio.
“After initial visits to the businesses—where we shared what we do—the kids picked which business they wanted to work with,” said Studio 7.5 artist and retired teacher Sandy Packer. “We had six to eight kids pick us, who then returned and we talked about how we can get people to know we’re up here and how the students can help us.”
Before the holiday break in December, students developed a marketing plan and presented their findings and suggestions.
“We went to Indian Trail and they were all professionally dressed,” said Packer. “They presented to us solutions they came up with. A lot of them blew me away with the presentation. The first thing they did was design posters and then they made an advertisement for the studio. We had the chance to make suggestions and their teacher sent us the changes for approval. They also asked if they could come to the studio to make a video.”
The video debuted on the studio’s Facebook page, Art Studio 7.5, to an overwhelming response. Packer said they’ve received more than 700 hits to the video link, which features a student viewpoint of the entrance and tour of the colorful, creative interior of the studio.
Students also created a professionally reproduced poster promoting the studio.
“People could not believe that first graders did this,” Packer said, referring to the poster, “just like the video.”
Two of the children involved in the marketing project said they decided to work with Studio 7.5 because of their love of art.
“I love to do art at home,” said Gracie Frank. “We put the pictures on the poster, but we got to draw them out first. I love drawing.”
First grader Makara Incorvaia said, “I picked the art studio because I like art and I worked on the poster. It was hard to work together at first, but then we got it.”
Packer said this was not the first time the studio collaborated with students. The artists—three of which are retired teachers—are supportive of the community and promoting the arts through the schools and with organizations.
“The scouts have also been up here,” said Packer. “We are very proud that Canal Winchester Schools continue to have an outstanding art program in grades K through 12. It is important to the schools and to the artists.”
