Tennessee Valley Museum of Art features PCHS creations

Every year the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art hosts The Trees of Christmas, an exhibit of nine 12-foot Christmas trees decorated by local groups and individuals. This year, The Trees of Christmas are joined by a different sort of Christmas tree display.

Amy Gunderman’s students at Phil Campbell High School had the opportunity to create their own Christmas trees that are now hanging in the front room of the museum.

“They did a great job. We were excited to go see them,” Gunderman said.

Dec. 4 the students, Gunderman and Michelle Marbutt took a field trip to see the display. Marbutt, a speech teacher at PCES, received the original call from the museum for help to create the trees.

“I got the call from Barb and directed her to Mrs. Gunderman, and they got it going,” Marbutt said.

Barbara Hendricks, who works at the museum, asked Marbutt if she knew of any teachers who would be interested in creating trees for display at the museum. Marbutt said she immediately thought of Gunderman.

The theme, Marbutt explained, was “Found Objects.” The students had to create the trees out of common objects that could be found around the household.

Student William Clark said they drew the trees, added the objects they were using as decorations then cut the trees out and attached them to a thick paper that serves as the backdrop for the tree.

“It gave them a way to express themselves and learn more about visual arts,” Marbutt said.

Clark said it was an amazing learning experience.

“It shows how you can take normal, everyday objects and make them into something beautiful,” he said.

The exhibit was on display through Dec. 24.