Students display work at middle school

Perhaps the secret behind Mona Lisa's wistful smile was a passion for rap music. Or it could have been plans for a wedding.

Art students at Carson Middle School experimented with the famous Leonardo da Vinci painting, depicting her in scenes ranging from a blushing bride to being knocked out by Mike Tyson.

Some of the renditions are among the nearly 250 pieces of artwork on display in the school's hallway today.

"I'm really pleased with their work," said art teacher Shauna Alexander. "We've got some great eighth-graders this year."

The exhibit went up Monday night in time for fifth-grade orientation night.

"It's a way for them to see what we can do in terms of art," explained art and social studies teacher Celia Davis.

The fourth-annual show features mostly assignments completed for art class, such as still images, perspective drawing and a group project to create an abstract portrait of Mick Jagger.

However, the show is open to all students and staff at the school.

Edwin Seiler, 14, is a member of the newly formed Japanese Anime club, a form of art based on the Japanese style of cartoons and comics.

Each student created a character and Seiler combined all of the characters onto one poster.

"It turned out pretty cool," he said. "It's my first piece that's going up in the show."

He is excited for fellow students to see his work and appreciates seeing the artwork of others.

"I actually have more ideas because I can see everybody else's art," he said.

Sarah Crockett, whose scratch-art owl will be on display, said art is her favorite subject.

"It's just different than regular classes," she said. "It's more fun than math or something."

For Kiona Roath, 14, art is more than a class.

"Without art, you can't really express yourself," she said.