INDIAN TRAIL – Poplin Elementary School dedicated a community totem pole on Nov. 17.
The concept of the piece was to create a totem pole as a representation of the school community, just as a Native American totem would represent the culture and characteristics of the people.
“I feel that it truly represents our community,” art teacher Shannon Helms said, “not only in subject and sentiment but also in the process.”
Helms and the Poplin Art Club, made up of a group of fifth-graders who met frequently after school, were responsible for the initial planning and production of several pieces, including the lantern at the top of the pole.
In art class, students brainstormed various aspects of the community, as well as the characteristics of a good community member.
The ideas generated in class were used to help plan the project.
The pieces were decorated and glazed by students and community members and completed shortly after the end of last school year. Once the pieces were completed, Helms, worked with Union County Public Schools maintenance staff to work out the installation.
Staff constructed a base and support structure to complete the process.
The school was able to buy the equipment necessary to complete the project thanks to proceeds from its Square 1 Art fundraiser and an Arts in Schools Grant from the Union County Community Arts Council.