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Sculpture Garden opens at Wayne Memorial

By Sarah Shurge
Some people can see something
ordinary and imagine something ex-
traordinary — all it takes is a vision.
Where people just saw cement and
grass, Lisa Hermann saw an oppor-
tunity for her students.
“I love gardening and we [Wayne
Memorial High School] have this
space that is just a cement pad and
grass that is not very pretty. I
thought it would be nice to put flow-
ers out there, but I wanted to get the
kids involved and create a space they
would be happy to be in. So we used
art and my gardening,” said Her-
mann, Wayne Memorial Art Instruc-
tor.
This is Hermann’s second year
teaching at Wayne Memorial, how- The Sculpture Garden had its grand opening at Wayne Memorial on Tuesday, May
ever, she’s been teaching for 38 years
total. “Even after 38 years, I still love 21st.
my job,” said Hermann. “To come in Hermann and her students Hermann wanted to give a special have art recognized, as well as bring
and see all the kids come in and worked with cement, which was a shout out to Melandie Hines, School awareness to being a part of the com-
have a place to express themselves new process for everyone. They cre- Board Secretary, munity. The plan is to continue to
and create at any level, it gives me a ated mushrooms and garden orbs, Anika Corbitt, Marketing Special- add to the garden year after year.
lot of joy.” standing sculpture out of recycled ist, as well as all Wayne Memorial ad- Hermann’s students, as well as more
Hermann wanted to turn the ce- cans, and turned two fence posts ministration for attending the grand classes will participate next year, and
ment pad and grass into a sculpture into “peace poles.” The poles say “let opening. Also, a shout out to Studio the garden will grow and continue to
garden for her art students, so she peace prevail on earth” in 16 differ- 1, Studio 2, Art 2, and the Link Art be a place kids can create pieces.
applied for a grant from the Wayne- ent languages. The students also cre- class for contributing to the garden. “It's hard for kids to understand pub-
Westland Foundation. ated a zebra painting on a window The grand opening had water, lic art until they are a part of it,” said
The Wayne-Westland Founda- for the Zebra Garden, as well as popcorn, and cookies, and music by Hermann. “The kids knowing they
tion’s goal is to provide opportunities glass beads and resin for another the Zebra Band Saxophone Ensem- were a part of creating that, it was re-
for teachers to fund innovative expe- window. ble playing the entire time. “It was a ally cool to see.”
riences that enhance the learning en- Hermann teaches a mix between really nice collaboration with the Hermann stated that the plants
vironment. grades 9-12, so around 50 kids were band. They played very well,” said are starting to come out in their box
Hermann’s sculpture garden idea involved in the sculpture garden. Her Hermann. and the kids are so excited about it.
was approved, and she received the special needs class did the majority Hermann also wanted to give a Hermann is hoping to have profes-
grant she needed to bring the garden of the planting and watering. shout out to her husband, Jeff Avis. sional artists come in the future and
to life. The Sculpture Garden had its “He is the mind behind the stable teach the kids other ways to create
She reused the planter beds that grand opening at Wayne Memorial on structures in the garden. I have the sculptures.
were not being used, the school dis- Tuesday, May 21st. “I was thrilled creative ideas and he does the imple- “The kids feel ownership in the
trict provided dirt, teachers donated and it went great,” said Hermann. “I mentation,” said Hermann. space and that’s what I was going
plants, and students helped plant want to thank all the people that Hermann wants the sculpture for,” said Hermann. “It's easy to do
and water the plants. were a part of it.” garden to be a place to put art and stuff when you love it.”

The Wayne Dispatch · June 2024 · 19