What lifts you
December 20, 2018
By TORY ABBOTT
When you walk by Mrs. Kreiger’s room and you might notice something strange; two large wings have been hung up on the wall outside her classroom.
This beautiful display is actually part of an art project by Life Skills teacher Mrs. Rachael Davis’ transition students. Within their art class taught by Mrs. Erin Welsh, students worked to create each feather individually in order to create a photo-op that they hope will “lift” you up. In a challenge to other students and teachers, they invite everyone to take a picture with the wings and post it along with the hashtag ” I want everyone to stand in front of our wings. We worked hard.” — Hunter Sell
Not only are the wings fun to pose in front of, but they were also fun to make, according to the Life Skills students.
“It was a lot of fun making the feathers for the wings. I learned about different colors and I got to draw me and my mom. I also liked drawing balloons,” Life Skills student Ashley Harter said.
Similarly, Kenny Russo said that “making the wings was fun. I was able to do whatever I wanted, like rainbows and other stuff. It made me feel like I am better at art.”
The inspiration for the wings came from street artist Kelsey Montague, who began the campaign in 2015, when she was to paint her first large-scale art piece on an art wall in New York City and wanted to paint something that the public would be able to interact with. The piece went viral when Taylor Swift posted a picture on instagram of her standing in front of the wings. Since, Montague has been painting various wings on buildings across the U.S. and in countries like Australia, South Africa, the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, among others. She also coined the accompanying message, “What Lifts You.”
Student Adam Marchini also noted that he enjoyed the freedom that the activity afforded him.
“I felt happy when doing the feather project. I got to draw, color, trace, and cut what I wanted,” he said.
Hunter Sell, meanwhile, commended Mrs. Welsh for her teaching.
“I loved the feather project. Mrs. Welsh is a good teacher. I want everyone to stand in front of our wings. We worked hard.”
Micah Heckathorne agreed, saying that he was “excited to see the wings on the wall.”
The Life Skills students began this campaign by posting their own photos on Twitter, alongside their explanations of what, or who, “lifts” them. For example, Adam posted that “making people happy” lifts him.
Mrs. Welsh looks forward t
“I liked that thoughtful question being posed by our Life Skills students, that they could be the ones lifting…love that metaphor,” she said.
But to keep the project going, the Life Skills students need help from everyone at BAHS. Take a moment between classes and pose with the wings. Tweet the photo with the #bahswhatlifes you hashtag.
“We are hopeful that many students and staff will participate and post. Micah, Ashley, Adam, Hunter and Kenny will be thrilled to see your photos and how their wings have lifted you,” Mrs. Welsh said.
