By Victor Henderson/multimedia editor

Artwork created with paint, crayons, sticks and leaves lined the hallways of the fine arts building during an art reception hosted by the NE art department and the Children’s Center.

NE art associate professor Cynthia Hurt said she wanted to celebrate the artistic efforts of the children who share the hallways with NE art students. The pieces were displayed April 18-25 at the eye level of the children who created them.

“They’re always looking up when they come down the hallway,” she said. “I thought to take it down to the level where they see would be fun.”

A unit of study that occurred in the 4- and 5-year-old classrooms focused on the life cycle of butterflies. Because of this, many projects on the wall are of caterpillars. The children collected materials from outside and used them to show how butterflies develop.

NE child development associate professor and director of the Children’s Center Pati Cates said an intern came up with the idea to have the students learn about caterpillars and do an art project over them.

“That’s really more of science combined with art, which we think is very successful at helping children learn about science,” she said.

A reception held on April 24 allowed parents to see the artwork their children had created.

“I think it’s been a great success,” Cates said. “I’m anticipating we’ll keep doing this in the future.”