“What object describes you the best?” This was the question that formed the foundation of CAM’s ArtReach spring intensive workshop with students from Northwest Academy of Law. Using the race car facsimiles created by Salvatore Scarpitta and Claes Oldenburg’s large-scale sculptures of mundane objects as points of departure, the class considered the often overlooked objects that shape their everyday lives. Selecting the objects they felt best represented their daily routines, students made facsimiles from papier-mâché—honing a craft with which they have been familiar since elementary school. By scaling the replicas into oversized proportions, the students aim to transform the dialogue we have with objects that make up our lives.

ArtReach, CAM’s community engagement program, partners with schools and community organizations to provide off-site visits, museum tours, and workshops with local artists.

The participating artists on view are Niah Harshaw, Tahja Johnson, Lela Nelson, Makyah Redden, Keisha Watkins, and Shaniya Wilson.

ArtReach: Northwest Academy of Law is organized for the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis by Miriam Ruiz, School and Community Programs Manager.