Over the last few months, I’ve been seeing beautiful artwork displayed downtown Muscatine at 205 E Second Street. I noticed it was done by students, so I reached out and got in contact with Wendy Waltert Stansbery, the art teacher at Jefferson Elementary School. I complimented her on what her students have been making and mentioned an idea I had for her students.

As may of you may know, I make out out of pearl. I told her I would love to donate some peal to her students to see what they come up with! At the same time, they can learn about art, the history of our community, the Pearl City, and how to make “something out of nothing!”

Needless to say, I was very impressed to learn they created butterflies to gift to the Jefferson teachers at the end of the year! On top of that, I had the privilege of of coming to the school and speaking with the students! We learned about how clams and mussels are born, live, and how they’re made into pearl buttons! I was very impressed by how involved they were, asking important questions about pearl and art, and how many of them have seen the murals I have downtown.

What a privilege it was to talk to the children about everything and see the impact my murals have on the youth in our community! I would like to thank the Muscatine Community School District, the National Pearl Button Museum, and everyone for your support!