Representing New Mexico

CLOVIS - For the second straight year, artwork created by Clovis students will be on display at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, scheduled for April 22.

Arts Academy at Bella Vista Principal Shelly Norris said the school was contacted by the U.S. Department of Education a few weeks ago to say that the school had been recommended for creating a painting for the event, which was made official at the end of March.

Norris then enlisted Sharon Cathey, a fifth-grade teacher at Bella Vista, to help with the initial planning of the design over spring break and then students from all grade levels at the school began painting and filling out the project when classes resumed.

Cathey said this year's design is based around the Zia symbol and features four aspects of New Mexico's history, which were not included in last year's design, including the Carlsbad Caverns, the Gila National Forrest, Aztec ruins and the "Miraculous Stair" at the Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe.

Norris said she was not sure why Bella Vista was chosen as the New Mexico participant again, but she thought it had something to do with success last year and how the school represents the state as a whole.

"I think the bottom line is just because of the school itself and the nature of the diversity of kids that we have here. It's a great example of how all kids get to be part of something, us being a neighborhood school ... and to show what we're doing artistically also pays off for us academically," Norris said.

The guidelines for the project include just five colors to be used - gold, red, pink, blue and green - and the design must be emblematic of the state, hence Bella Vista's use of the Zia symbol and a pinion, the state tree.

"The primary difference this year is last year, a wrap was created and the eggs were on the lawn. This year these (paintings) are actually going to be on easels apparently inside of the south lawn of the White House," Norris said. She said this year a photo of the students working on the project will be displayed along with the artwork.

Cathey said the project was a big hit for the students selected to participate.

"They loved seeing their progress and their completed work," Cathey said. "They loved to be involved and they liked how soothing the painting was."