Batavia students display art at Depot Museum

Thirty-five works of art by Batavia High School students are on display this summer at the Batavia Depot Museum, Houston and Water streets.

The works range from sketches and photos to computer-generated and three-dimensional pieces. They were created by students under the direction of Dawn Zalkus, head of the high school art department.

A tree branch holds the genesis of a Monarch butterfly from chrysalis to almost-ready to fly away.

One graphite sketch is an arrangement of oil cans and roses. The artist’s explanation is that he was trying to show war and conflict and “how difficult peace can be.”

Another sketch contains the artist’s favorite things: A large teddy bear, aviator sun glasses, a package of gum and an iPod.

A silver purse is made from the caps of soda cans placed so tightly together they appear almost as a solid piece. The purse has a zipper closing and long silver chain.

Four of the more unusual items are teapots, including a decorated cupcake, a box that resembles one from Chinese takeout food, a larger-than-life chameleon and a ceramic puffer fish.

A mannequin wears a “magazine dress.” Its short, flared skirt is created from paper strips cut from color pages of magazines such as National Geographic and Smithsonian. The broad collar is from black-and-white news items with dark black headlines.

The Depot Museum, 155 Houston St., is housed in an 1854 railroad depot. It is open from 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is staffed by Batavia Historical Society volunteers and operated by the Historical Society and the Batavia Park District.

For details, call (630) 406-5274.