Mrs. Byrnes’ third graders at Deauville Gardens East Elementary School have been reading biographies about impactful Americans such as Katherine Johnson, Bessie Coleman and Albert Einstein.

Students also learned about Tyree Guyton, an African American artist from Detroit. From the book “Magic Trash: A Story of Tyree Guyton and His Art,” students learned that as a boy Guyton picked up junk and used it to create things. After returning home from art school as an adult, Guyton discovered that where he had grown up had become a decaying, unloved neighborhood. Through his “Heidelberg Street Project,” he used his art to transform his neighborhood into a living and changing outdoor art exhibit, visited by people from all over the world.

Mrs. Byrnes’ students were so inspired by his work/mission that they read additional books, interviews and videos about him and created art projects at home.

Date Added: 3/21/2023