By: M.C. Baker, Mater Christi School Art Teacher

Growing Works of Art is an art and writing contest for students in grades 1-8. The contest is hosted in partnership with UVM Extension and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. I love this contest because children are competing against students across the state in their particular grade level. I also like that it is an integration of the arts and writing. This year’s theme is “Branching Out”. Students were asked to showcase a meaningful experience where they have grown, changed, or learned something new because of a tree in their lives. In Literature class, students were challenged to write a story and create a piece of art illustrating their chosen tree. In Art class, students created an illustration that supported their writing.

This year Mater Christi was honored with THREE first-place winners! In second grade, Jack Jarvis won first place. In fourth grade, Gwendolyn Firlik won first place. In fifth grade, Sadie Murnaghan won first place. The winners’ artwork and stories are featured online, they each won a Vermont State Parks punch pass, and they were included in WCAX’s “Across the Fence” show on Arbor Day.