DUVALL — Armed with pencils, paper, glue and scissors, 50

students from Cherry Valley Elementary are creating a magnificent piece of

history for their school.

After a few snips here and a glob of glue there the students’ paper

creation will be painted by local artist Daniel Cautrell and then hung in

the school’s main entrance for all to see.

The project is titled “This is a House of Learning” and will

feature about 50 one-foot mini-murals expressing different themes such

as friendship, love and sportsmanship. Once the students have finished

the scene, Cautrell will attach the paper to a piece of plywood and then

paint several coats of varnish to harden and preserve the project.

Next, Cautrell will breathe life into the collage by painting it with

primary colors to create a breathtaking work of art.

And to think that it all started with just paper and glue.

“This is such an unusual process that they don’t quite know what

they’ll end up with yet,” Cautrell said.

“It was hard to visualize,” admitted parent volunteer Kathy Koback.

“It was hard to imagine that their picture was going to be like that finished

product,” she said pointing to a photo.

“I thought, `Wow!'”

But the students didn’t seem to worry about the multiple steps

involved in creating the mural. Instead, they kept putting glue on the

pieces of paper — and themselves — showing off their individual style of art.

Fifth-grader Brian Grambow, who chose to portray “Democracy”

by making an American flag with fireworks bursting all around it, said

he was proud that his artwork was chosen for the project.

“It’s overwhelming,” he said.

“It’s going to be up there for a long time and if I’m still living in Duvall,

my kids will see it.”

The project inspired other students to think of the future, as well.

Second- grader Amelia Marchetti looked over at her friend Britney Ravsten’s

replica of the school’s brick wall that they like to play ball on and said, “Maybe

when you grow up you can build brick walls.”

“I don’t think so,” responded Ravsten. “It’s too much hard work.”

On a table next to the youngsters, fifth-grade student Kelsey Osness

was working on her creation titled “Juggling.” Her theme represents her

slate of daily duties that is filled with homework, Girl Scouts, band, choir,

and now the mural project. But Osness said she’s eager to have her piece of

art greet the hundreds of people that walk through the halls of Cherry Valley

each day.

“I’m really excited and it’s really hard to imagine that it will be up

there for years,” she said. “And it’s

kinda cool that it will be up there with everyone else’s.”

“And we get out of class,” Osness’ friend added.

The students have been working on their part of the mural for

several months and Cautrell expects to have all the painting completed by the

end of this month.

“This is a House of Learning” project wouldn’t have been

possible without the help from several organizations who contributed to the effort.

A grant from the King County Arts Commission supplied Cautrell’s

time and supplies, Frank Sebenius from Carnation donated the wood and

Ben Malay from Onastar Framing in Seattle donated the paper.

Cautrell is still looking for someone to provide or help with the

printing costs for an open house that will be held later in the school year, as

well as funding for a plaque to honor the people who have contributed to

the success of the project.

For more information about the project or to make a donation,

call Daniel Cautrell at (206) 903-1989 or Principal Doug Pierce at (425)

788-1555.