Project Gives Reston Students Chance To Contribute To Fairway Drive Underpass Project

RESTON, VA — On June 8, artist Shawn James worked with fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Lake Anne Elementary School on an interactive art activity for Public Art Reston's Fairway Drive Underpass Project.

James instructed students on several methods of painting a mural, concentrating on the projection and fill painting process on a copy of the school's mascot that he had drawn on large foam core panels.

With the help of James and art teachers Kris Johnson and Maura Garfield, the students painted the panels using a guide/mock sheet. The panels were designed to be zip-tied together and mounted.

“It was such a fantastic experience having Shawn James visit us at Lake Anne," Johnson said, in Public Art Reston release. "The kids got such a kick out of seeing his mural work and are excited to get to know him and visit him as he will be painting the mural over the summer."

Adopted in 2008, the Public Art Master Plan for Reston identifies prime locations around the community for new art commissions.

The Fairway Drive Underpass Project includes opportunities for artists like James to conduct workshops with Lake Anne Elementary students to contribute to the development and design of the final public artwork.

"His murals are extraordinary and being able to talk and ask questions of a professional mural arist is an authentic experience the students were lucky to have," Johnson said. "He guided them in paintng a large mural of the Lake Anne dolphin, to be put together into a very large mural. The kids had a kick out of painting it, and kept repeating his line, 'Make mistakes. It’s just paint!’ The students were excited to learn about the underpass project and are looking forward to visiting Shawn as he works on it over thesummer.”