READY FOR ART SHOW — Fourth-graders in John Gregg Elementary School’s enrichment program, including Lydia Byron and Henry Bernhart, worked on their biographical pop-up books that will be on display during the school’s annual art show, set to be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Fifth- and sixth-grade enrichment students will create a living wax museum, depicting famous figures during the event. -- Contributed

BERGHOLZ — Some of history’s most famous figures are coming back to life at John Gregg Elementary School, as fifth- and sixth-graders prepare to hold a living wax museum as part of the school’s annual art show. The show is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 13. The evening will feature projects from pupils in preschool through sixth grade.

A make-and-take family art center, along with refreshments, will be provided by Groovy Drinks in Wintersville, according to organizers. Students in the enrichment program have begun preparing original works that focus on this year’s theme entitled “Hope Bearers.”

Kelly Dopp, who is an art teacher at the school and serves as the enrichment program’s coordinator, along with teacher Brooke Barker, explained those who are in second, third and fourth grades are in the process of making pop-up biographical books for the art show. Students in grades five and six are creating the living wax museum that will be based on famous people whom they have researched. Dopp obtained a $700 Best Practice Grant from the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to finance the project. Through the grant, she was able to purchase a series of books highlighting people who have impacted society.

“We purchased $600 worth of picture books that had a variety of people from inventors to entrepreneurs,” Dopp stated, adding the students browsed the books and selected a person they wanted to emulate in the museum. “They had to choose someone they thought was a hope bearer.” She noted some children chose an athlete, while others selected an artist or a social activist. “They researched the person’s life and focused on how he, or she, brought hope to their community or to the world, and how they represented hope,” Dopp said. Subjects ranged from modern-day moguls, including Elon Musk, to the inventor of crayons and historical figures such as Anne Frank.

“The second-, third- and fourth-graders will do pop-book biographies,” Dopp continued. “The fifth- and sixth-graders are doing a wax museum. They researched and wrote a first-person point-of-view and will speak as that person. They’ve worked really hard — and we’ve been affected by snow days — which has limited their time.”

Younger pupils at the school are designing books with three-dimensional effects. Their works will be displayed in the gymnasium, while the fifth and sixth grades will have students dress in costumes, design their own backgrounds and recite their character’s story on stage. Among the fourth-graders who shared the inspiration for their project was Lydia Byron, who said, “I am doing a book about crayons. It has a lot of colors and I liked it.” She noted she was excited to do the project for the art show and is happy with her choice.

“I like fighting,” said Henry Bernhart said of his choice, “I like fighting.” And so, he selected actor and martial artist Bruce Lee as his inspiration. “When he was younger, he was bullied a lot,” Bernhart said of Lee. “He always dreamed of being a fighter.”

Elijah Cooley is writing his project about the first African-American woman in space, saying the book sounded interesting when he read it.

Liam Bennett chose to focus on bubblegum creator Walter Diemer, a mathematician who found success in a different field. “He was curious and made Double Bubble that we call bubblegum,” Bennett said.

Dopp stated the concept changes every year, alternating between projects. Last year and next year, a young entrepreneur’s market takes place, giving John Gregg children a chance to learn in different ways. The entrepreneurial project allows students to design and sell their own creations. From jewelry to treats, the creations’ proceeds help to keep the marketplace sustainable, Dopp said.

“Two years ago, we had a wax museum with a different theme,” she concluded. “Last year, we did the entrepreneur’s market. We will alternate each year to give the kids an opportunity to do both.”