Hunters Woods sixth-graders leave their mark through artist-in-residence program

By Steven Brasley, FCPS Office of Communications

Sixth-graders gather around artist Penny Hauffe as they begin work on their ecosystem tapestry. Photo by Steven Brasley

An artist-in-residence program has shaped generations of students at Hunters Woods Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences. The tradition stretches back more than two decades, even before the current principal’s tenure. Each year, with funding from the Hunters Woods PTA, the graduating sixth-grade class partners with a local artist to create a permanent installation that leaves a lasting imprint on the school.

Every class chooses a different medium and location, transforming campus spaces in creative ways. Students have designed vibrant mosaics that greet visitors at the entrance, built colorful birdhouses for the outdoor classroom, and painted murals that brighten the library walls. Together, these works give Hunters Woods its distinctive personality and tell the story of the students who passed through its halls.

This year, sixth-graders have teamed up with artist-in-residence Penny Hauffe to bring a pond ecosystem to life through a richly textured tapestry. They are creating the piece with dyed and hand-stitched fabric, and when finished, it will hang in a hallway near the art classrooms.

From the start, students took ownership of the project. They chose which pond creatures to create—dragonflies, slugs, frogs, koi fish and lilies—and sketched their designs directly onto fabric. Hauffe then led them through the dyeing process, helping them mix and apply colors that would make their creations shine.

As the weeks progressed, students layered in even more detail. Hauffe showed them how to stitch sequins onto wings, petals and scales so each creature catches the light and stands out. With her classroom sessions complete, Hauffe will assemble the individual pieces into one cohesive tapestry, a vibrant collaboration that reflects both the ecosystem it portrays and the young artists who created it.