Middle school students recognized for art work at local doughnut shop

Doughnuts can be a delicious snack, and also apparently great inspiration for artwork. That’s how Bellefonte Area Middle School art teacher Nicole Tucker got the idea to use doughnuts to help inspire her students to draw them as part of a still-life art project that were entered into a contest through a local business.

“I had an idea in mind about a still-life art project when I drove by Dam Donuts, so I approached Traci Beck, Dam Donuts owner, about purchasing donuts for my students where they would study them, draw them from observation and then finally make a painting,” Tucker said. “The doughnut in this form served as their still life before eating their delicious treat.”

Not only were the paintings displayed in the Bellefonte shop, but Tucker said Beck liked the idea so much she suggested something better: “let the community vote on their favorite painting and the winner would get a $10 gift card.”

Though 22 eighth-grade students participated in the contest, student Ella Underwood received the most votes. An anonymous donor also donated gift cards for student artists who drew the top four voted paintings. They were Sophia Lyons, Megan Nigro and Austeen Waltz.

*By Brit Milazzo, public relations director, BASD