Artist Led Schoolwide Clay Project in Loveland

Local artist Carolyn Pearce helped students at Garfield Elementary create hundreds of unique clay butterflies.

Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Painting

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single clay butterfly resting on a wooden table, representing a school art project. — Artist Carolyn Pearce and students at Garfield Elementary in Loveland have completed a collaborative project featuring nearly 200 handmade clay butterflies. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support schools dedicating significant time to large-scale, student-created art projects?

Professional artist Carolyn Pearce has partnered with Garfield Elementary School students to create a large-scale clay art installation. The project features nearly 200 handmade clay butterflies designed to be displayed on school fencing.

Why it matters

The initiative aims to bolster the school's commitment to fostering student creativity and engagement in artistic outlets. By participating in the hands-on creation process, students gain exposure to professional pottery techniques.

The school art project consists of approximately 180 to 200 individual clay butterflies. These pieces are being finished through specialized kiln firing and glazing processes.

The players

Carolyn Pearce

Carolyn Pearce is a professional artist based in Loveland who has worked full-time in the field since 2003.

Garfield Elementary School

Garfield Elementary School is a local educational institution in Loveland that hosts the clay art project.

The details

Students cut butterfly shapes from clay using patterns and fold them over cylindrical bodies for structure. Artist Carolyn Pearce completes the process by adding glaze and performing the final firing for every marked piece.

2003: Pearce began working as a full-time artist.
2026-2027 school year: The completed clay butterflies are displayed on school fencing.
End of school year: Students will take their individual clay butterflies home.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader move toward community-integrated arts education where professional creators provide hands-on experience to youth. It aligns with the National Endowment for the Arts' Student Creative Engagement Framework by prioritizing collaborative artistic expression over traditional individual instruction.

Students at the school will eventually receive their personal clay butterflies to keep as a permanent keepsake. This offers a tactile, long-term memory of their participation in the schoolwide artistic endeavor.

The takeaway

Participating in school art projects allows students to explore creative hobbies like pottery in a professional-led environment. These collaborative experiences often serve as an introduction to formal techniques like glazing and kiln firing.