By Megan Sprague

Photographs of Davidson taken through the eyes of fourth-graders lined the walls of Town Hall Friday night at the Children’s Art Project reception.

For two months, 78 students from several of Davidson’s elementary schools walked the streets of their hometown in search of the perfect picture, clicking away with their disposable cameras and learning every inch of their town.

Samantha Anderson poses near her photograph of a Davidson chapel. Megan Sprague photo

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“They were given a theme — person, place or thing — and after they had chosen their photo, they had to research the history of what they had chosen,” said Elizabeth Williams, a teacher and the coordinator for the project. “We do a different theme every year.”

Williams said the reason for the project was simple.

“We want to preserve the sense of community and help people remember why they like to live here,” she said. “It’s turned out so well, and exceeded my expectations.”

Anna Lavella was one of the students who participated this year. The 9-year-old snapped a great picture of one of the new police cruisers.

“We took pictures of the front of town hall, some of the older police cars and inside of (this) building, but I liked the picture of the (new) police car the best,” she said.

Her parents, Barb and John Lavella, were proud of their daughter’s work, which they saw for the first time at the reception.

“It’s great that they’re learning about the town and can connect with the history of where it has been, and now maybe see where it’s going,” her dad said.

Samantha Anderson and her partner, Kate Beaken, captured another picture worthy of wall space in town hall.

“I liked it because of the way the sun is beaming down on the chapel,” said Anderson of her work. “I learned that it was built in 1906 and my friend’s mom’s works there.”

“It’s really neat for her to learn about the town she lives in,” said Anderson’s mother, Stacey.

Summit Coffee in Davidson is where Sabrina Staton clicked her favorite picture, which had a little surprise in it.

“I just liked the reflection in the window, and I didn’t realize the board was there,” she said. The board she referred to says, “When Friends Meet, Hearts Warm.”

“I wanted to get the old and the new, like my teacher, Mr. Jones, said,” she added.

Her mother agreed.

“It is great that they get to see the old and the new together,” she said. “So many other places tear everything down, but they’ve really kept the best elements here. It’s so amazing what these 9-year-olds have done.”

The children learned how to do the research on their pictures properly thanks to Jan Blodget of Davidson College and wrote a narrative to go along with their snapshots.

Lynn Andrus, Davidson Elementary’s art teacher, helped the children learn the art of photography.

“I showed them how to look at the composition and the overall design that you could make,” she said. “It turned out beautifully and the kids really embraced the project. I’m so proud.”

Newly elected Davidson mayor John Woods attended the reception and talked to the children and their parents about their project and was impressed with what they had to offer.

“It’s amazing what perception and photographic technique that these kids have,” Woods said. “This project is great because it really pulls the town together and is a good effort in community building.”
The mayor said he hopes the project will continue year after year and is looking forward to next year, when the theme will tentatively be “People.”

“It would be great for them to just pick an older citizen off the street,” he said. “There are a lot of people, like me, who have lived here all their lives and would have so much information to share.”

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