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Local artist and educator Sue Anne Foster, left, and teacher Sharon Tiner showcase an array of student artwork created to commemorate a visit from Cathy Conheim, author of “What’s the Matter with Henry.” —Spectrum photo by Michael A. Piekarz
Teachers
Use Cat Named Henry to Inspire Student Art
By
Michael A. Piekarz
Staff Writer
When
noted author and psychotherapist Cathy Conheim agreed to come speak
to students at Deterding Elementary School, teacher Sharon Tiner,
local artist and educator Sue Anne Foster, art instructor Jean
Weil and students at the school did not know that it would result
in nearly 4000 hours of work over a two-week period.
“I had no idea it would be like this,” said 65-year-old Foster as
she pointed to the student-prepared artwork covering nearly every square inch
of the walls, tables and floors in the art classroom at Deterding.
The visit can be traced back almost two years ago, when Tiner made the decision
to incorporate Conheim’s book, “What’s the Matter with Henry,” – the
story of the trials and tribulations of Conheim’s three-legged cat and
how it illustrates important life lessons — into her classroom.
“The intent is to teach children the power of owning their own stories;
that mistakes are learning opportunities, and even though they cannot control
everything that happens to them, they can control their responses,” said
Conheim.
The feline, Henry, has become an important part of many school programs, teaching
children tolerance, self-esteem and resilience, as well as helping them to find
their creativity.
“The book helps children realize that mistakes are learning opportunities,” said
Tiner. “When you make mistakes, you don’t quit.”
Tiner and Foster met as students at Sacramento State University and developed
a relationship with Conheim culminating in a trip to visit her at her home in
La Jolla last July.
During the trip to La Jolla, the trio discussed how wonderful it would be if
the students who had read Conheim’s book could meet Henry and “Tink,” a
dachshund with only two hind legs.
Last month, during a meeting planning an assembly for students,
Tiner suggested that they ask Conheim to speak to the Deterding
students as a visiting author,
although she wasn’t certain that Conheim’s schedule would allow her
to attend.
Conheim not only agreed, but she agreed to a February 2010 date and said that
she would bring Tink to meet the students.
“I thought ‘Cathy’s coming, and she’s bringing Tink,’” said
Tiner. “This is going to be really special for the kids.”
The news spurred Tiner, Foster and Weil into action, helping the 600 students
at Deterding to prepare artwork based on Henry the cat to mark the visit.
“Art is important to education,” Tiner explained. “We are trying
to showcase that.”
For the last two weeks, the students at Deterding have been working on a variety
of “Henry the Cat” themed art projects as a surprise for Conheim.
The pieces are each unique, coming in different sizes using a variety of materials,
with the only limitations being the individual creative talents of the students.
The result has been an explosion of multi-colored creativity rarely seen outside
of a professional art studio.
Several pieces were done as a collaborative effort by several students or classes
who worked independently of each other in the creation of an individual work
of art.
The centerpiece is a special art project; a giant cat puzzle unveiled at the
assembly, which will be used by the school to commemorate the event.
“The experience has been enjoyable despite the dedicated work that was
involved,” said Tiner.
“You can’t predict what’s going to happen or how something
is going to turn out, but you can certainly have fun with it.”
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