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Wednesday, November 10, 2021 - Pike County Journal Reporter - Page 5A SUBMITTED PHOTO Elizabeth Holley of Williamson was among the students involved in a painting a mural to inspire kids at a Gainesville, GA low-income housing complex. The mural honors six community leaders from Gainesville’s history and now. Some of the children helped paint the mural. Elizabeth Peyton Holley is a junior from Williamson who is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at UNG. Williamson resident assists with mural to build community University of North Georgia (UNG) visual arts faculty and students recently took action to inspire kids at a Gaines ville, Georgia, low-income housing complex to take an interest in art by in volving them in it. Craig Wilson, associate professor of visual arts, and four of his students assisted the Gainesville Housing Authority and community volunteers in painting a mural this sum mer at Midtown Villages at Melrose. Elizabeth Hol ley of Williamson was one of the students involved in the project. The mural honors six community leaders from Gainesville’s history and present: Gene Beckstein, Faye Bush, E.E. Butler, Norma Hernandez, Beu lah Rucker, and Johnny Vardeman. Some of the children from the apart ments helped paint the mural. “It’s not just about getting the kids involved in art,” Wilson said. “It’s also about building com munity.” Jim Chapman is the special projects coordi nator for the Gainesville Housing Authority. He came up with the mural idea, including the first mural UNG assisted with in 2017. Mary Frances Hull led the mural proj ect, with assistance from UNG and other com munity members. Chap man said he wants the art partnership to open children’s eyes to new possibilities. “The bottom line is we want them to dream big, crazy big,” Chapman said. “And if they can envi sion and picture a better future, we can help them achieve it. The tough part is being able to see it.” Elizabeth Peyton Holley is a junior from Williamson who is pursuing a Bach elor of Fine Arts at UNG. She began painting within the past year, so the chance to combine her passions of art and community service was an easy choice. “It’s great to know that people are going to see this art and know the collaboration that went into it,” Holley said. “If it inspires at least one person, it’s worth it.” Primary school students have Fun Run fundraiser for technology upgrades Pike County Primary School held their annual Fun Run fundraiser Oct. 22 and the money raised by the students and their families will help fund technology upgrades at the school. “PCPS students participated in our fourth Fun Run recently,” said PTO president Kelly Stephens. “These students are trying to raise money to help upgrade technol ogy for their school. Fast year the money was used for new playground equipment. This is a fun event that the kids love!” SUBMITTED PHOTOS Coach Zac Nauck runs with Pike County Primary School stu dent Auria Wilis at the recent Fun Run fundraising event. Parent volunteers wave pool noodles for students in the Fun Run as Masyn Hicks jumps over them. Aldyn Hammock (above left) lets her hair fly as she runs and (above right) Weston Harrison is seriously fast. Pike County Primary School Students of the Month for October include kindergarteners Bentley Dennis, Cash Jones, Kara- line Laster, Ellie Carden, Jase Chestnutt, Abigail Bottoms, Kaley Lee, Blaze Anderson and Destinee Shepard. Not pictured are Kaison McGill and Levi Griffin. SPECIAL PHOTOS PGPS October Students of the Month honored Pike County Primary School Students of the Month for October include first graders Lacie Adams, Nickey Bartlett, TJ Chas tain, Wyatt Payne, Michael Sheffield, Nolan Festerman, Lathan Maner, Lila Kate Jones, Olivia Head, Grayson Pennington and Brianna Whitten. Not pictured is Ellie Justice. Pike County Primary School Students of the Month for October include second graders Maddie Slaughter, Jessica Martin, Lilah Griffin, Russell Elliott, Logan Stewart, Olivia Freedenburg, Calli Hester, Madeline Roundtree, Carmen Ramirez, Kamden Klemons and Grade Matthews. Not pictured is Marlie Miller.