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Art students make difference in community

Students use art to deliver social messages in Rhinebeck
Posted on 01/30/2025

Cynthia Baer’s art students battled through the frigid temperatures to make a difference in the community with an art drop in the Village of Rhinebeck.

Students prepared a picture on a small bag that supported a cause they chose. Some wildflower seeds were placed in the bag with a note to visit a website concerning their social cause.

“The whole purpose was to bring social awareness to people through art,” said Baer. “I wanted them to go outside of school and realize the art they make could have an impact. It’s not just art we hang on the walls in the schools. There is a seed there that could start something bigger.

“I was proud of them in town; they conducted themselves professionally.”

Seventy bags were prepared and 23 students took the trip to the village by bus. The students participated in one of three groups – north side of Market Street, south side of Market Street and Route 9. The groups of students placed the bags on the trees.

The students had lunch at Village Pizza before returning to the high school.

“It was a great project,” said freshman Mason Webb. “I had a lot of fun doing the project because we used paint and I used a sewing machine for the first time.”

Kaylynn Brisee’s message was to stop animal abuse and said participating in this project made her happy because it gave her the opportunity to say something she’s wanted to share for a long time.

“It’s a huge topic for me because one of my cats is a rescue from animal abuse,” the freshman said. “I’ve seen animals be abused before. I think it’s not talked about enough. It’s going to help people know more about it.”

Jade Bennett chose stopping racism as her message.

“We learned that it’s a lot easier to have an impact than you could imagine,” the freshman said. “It was pretty easy to do the project.”