Creative Creatures: Students Preserve Endangered Animals in Clay
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The focus was intense as Parker Lower School students worked with Heidi Buscher-Simmersbach to create endangered animals from clay. Eyes opened wide and fingers twitched with anticipation as they watched the highly regarded artist – and Parker School parent – cube the small blocks of clay that would be theirs to mold.

Only a few wanted to sketch their creations before getting to work making sea turtles, Tasmanian forester kangaroos, and snakes, among other animals.

Ms. Buscher-Simmersbach, who has a son in the second grade at Parker Lower School, spoke with the children about technique in a way they easily could understand. When attaching tails, legs and necks, for example, she said the young artists had to smooth the clay together so the pieces wouldn't fall off. Then, they had to apply the "tok tok test" – a quick plucking motion – to determine whether the piece was sturdy.

"We were so happy to have Heidi on campus, volunteering her time and talent to enrich the students' art experience," said Lower School Head Heather Polhemus. Kindergarten, first- and second-grade students worked with the artist on the lanai of the new Parker Lower School building.

Ms. Buscher-Simmersbach received her master of fine arts degree from San Francisco State University. Her award-winning work has been exhibited in museums and galleries on the Big Island, the mainland, and in Canada.

"It was so great! They are so much fun!" Ms. Buscher-Simmersbach said of her time with the Parker School students.