Since 2001 Kevin Reese — actor, designer and visual artist — has worked with thousands of school children to bring their drawings to life as moving pieces of art.
Reese, who makes his home in Washington, D.C., is spending a week in Amy Shannon’s art classes at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center teaching students how to build large mobiles.
“It’s all about the students and their vision for the mobiles,” Reese said.
Mobiles being constructed will resemble drama masks, a large painter’s pallet and musical notes.
The six art classes are working on five mobiles — one large and four smaller mobiles — that will hang from the ceiling of the commons area at the high school starting Friday.
The objects are carved from a light-weight foam board. The largest mobile will weigh about seven pounds. The components will be primed with a flame-resistant coating before being painted with bright colors.
Reese was in Iola two years ago to work with middle school students. This year’s visit is made possible by the Bowlus Fine Arts Center and Sleeper Family Trust.
A CALIFORNIA native, Reese is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Cruz and the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts.
He was a working actor and artist who enjoyed making mobiles and going to craft fairs. In 2000, a member of a Parent-Teachers Association asked if he would go to their school and make mobiles with their children.
“I didn’t realize then that making that mobile with glue, cotton balls and sticks for the PTA would turn into a career,” Reese said.
Reese visits about 15 schools a year and will head to Crockett, Texas, after his stint in Iola.
In November, Reese will take his work to the international level with a trip to Taipei, Taiwan.
