If you're heading to the Owatin Creek Art Show this Friday from 5:30 to 7:30PM, please take a moment and look up at the cupola skylight to see a colorful chandelier created by students in OC's after-school Eco Club. Mrs. Britta Hyneman, Owatin Creek's art teacher, said that the project was inspired by glass artist Dale Chihuly, and began with students collecting plastic water bottles that would have normally been thrown away or recycled that students turned into beautiful pieces of glass-inspired art when they colored the bottles with Sharpie markers and cut them into spirals. The bottles were then mounted onto a wire frame and hung from the school's cupola this week.

"Students are so excited about this project," said Mrs. Hyneman, who received help from Owatin Creek teacher (and Lorane paraprofessional) Mrs. Stephanie Van Sickle, who helps her run the after-school club. "We had more than 35 students participate in this project who learned that we can take ordinary objects that we often throw away and turn them into an unexpected, unique piece of art. I'm so proud of their dedication to this project--they collected and prepared more than 600 water bottles for this chandelier!"

Eco Club is a free after-school club that meets to learn how to help preserve and protect our earth. Each meeting features an upcycled art project. The club is organized by parent volunteer, Mrs. Van Sickle, and OC teachers, Mrs. Hyneman and Ms. Kristen McBride.