East Union art students get creative with old student desks

Art students at East Union Attendance Center are finding a way to spend their time creatively in the classroom, while also earning extra credit.

Angie Barmer

East Union Attendance Center Senior Cody Poe paints a desk in the style of Mississippi State University.

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Students desks that were from the 1960s era were wasting away underneath a carport this summer and instead of throwing them away East Union Principal Ray Kennedy approached Art instructor Lesa Allen about making the desks into pieces of art and sell them to people in order to raise money for the fledgling art program at East Union.

Allen said, “Our Art program lost district funding at the beginning of the school year and we had to find some way to raise money for the program so we can buy art supplies and other things we need for the classroom and the program. So far, we have accepted all of the orders we can and we are sold out.”

The desks are being sold for $35 and customers can order whatever design they request and the students will paint the desks. Some desks are school-oriented designs like East Union, New Albany High School, Ole Miss, Mississippi State University, Tennessee Vols, Florida Gators, and more. Others have designs such as Andy Warhol, Andy Griffith, and famous works of art.

East Union Principal Ray Kennedy said, “I think it’s great that the students are utilizing resources we already have and I think it’s wonderful to teach responsibility to students on how to make something out of what they already have.”

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from Art II and III classes have been the painters and designers on over 20 desks that have now been revamped into pieces of art.

 Cody Poe, senior, has enjoyed working on these desks. he said, “I like to start from nothing and make it something. I also like being creative and have enjoyed working on this project.”