Monroe honors artist Charley Harper

Monroe Elementary celebrated Charley Harper Day December 7 with every student, teacher and staff member asked to wear red in honor of Harper's famous Cardinal image.

Each student and staff member also received a button or pin made with an image of one of Harper's artworks.



2nd Grader Gracie Baum in her homemade Charley Harper cardinal outfit is pictured with Monroe art teacher Adrian Hawk dressed as Harper's Cardinal character.

 

"Charley Harper was a local artist who loved nature and painted simplified images of animals in nature," explained Monroe visual arts teacher Adrian Vance Hawk. " His work is known all around the world. He did many poster designs for the Hamilton County Parks and currently has an exhibit at the Cincinnati Nature Center."

 

Jetta McCart wearing a Charley Harper artwork sweatshirt from the 1980's.

 

The City of Cincinnati honored Harper in 2006 by declaring December 8 as Charley Harper Day. Harper died in 2007.

"It was a one time celebration but I thought it was a great way to celebrate a great artist who did great work for the environment and he is an artist that all the young artists at Monroe Elementary study so it seemed right to celebrate an artist in this way," said Hawk.

Patricia Piper's kindergarten class sang the "Charley Harper Song" on the morning announcements.



Monroe principal Joe Roach introduces Charley Harper's Cardinal character during Friday's morning announcements.