BOO! at the Zoo featuring students’ artwork and talents

For about 80 students at Vine Middle Magnet School, BOO! at the Zoo is “School at the Zoo.” These talented students are getting a lesson in school-to-life application and putting their creativity to good use this Halloween by providing original artwork and performances for the Knoxville Zoo’s BOO! at the Zoo.

BOO! at the Zoo, presented by U.S. Cellular, is a family-friendly Halloween event held at the Knoxville Zoo October 9-12, 16- 19 and 23-26. Students’ artwork is adding a festive look to the event, and dancers, cheerleaders, chorus and band from Vine will perform on Oct. 18.

Students in Vine Middle Magnet School’s year-round art class, led by teacher Dorothy Verbick, created 2-foot-tall plaster mold sculptures of 10 animals represented at the zoo, and to add to the spirit of the season, each animal is wearing a costume, also created by the students. The sculptures are made from recycled items, including soft drink cans, cereal boxes and milk jugs and have incredible likenesses to the animals they represent. The art students also created several 4’x4’ animal masks for the event.

The Vine Dance Company, led by teacher Sarah Hobbs, will “thrill” children and parents, alike, by performing the famous “Thriller” dance made popular by Michael Jackson in the early 1980s, and the Vine Chorus, led by teacher Shawn Turner, will sing the iconic song as well as another ghoulish favorite, “Ghostbusters.” Vine Middle Magnet School’s band and cheerleaders also will enhance BOO! at the Zoo’s atmosphere with performances, and even makeup artists from Vine will provide creative talents for the event.

Performances will take place in The Clayton Family’s Kid’s Cove between 5:30-8:00 p.m., and decorations are near the Kid’s Cove, as well.

Vine Middle Magnet School focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). At Vine, science and technology are interpreted through engineering and the arts, all based on mathematical elements. STEAM principles are used to enhance the learning of one content area by adding cross-curricular elements to expose students to authentic, real-world learning.

Published October 23, 2014