The Roger Quist Middle School Art Club butterflies arrived with a beautiful art installation placed at the Adams County 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office on March 16.

“It’s just been a real thrill to partner with Quist Middle School and the outstanding students and teachers on this project,” District Attorney Brian Mason said. “Our staff with the DAs office came to Quist almost every week to work with the kids on the artwork. And now today, we get to see the fruits of their labors. And it’s a fantastic exhibit, and it brightens up the DA’s office lobby.”

The exhibit will be on display at the DA’s office at 1000 Judicial Center Dr. in Brighton. Eventually, it should move to the Adams County Government Center, Mason said.

The art collaboration project displays more than 80 pastels on canvas and 60 butterflies representing the world’s wonders, all created by Quist Middle School Art Club students and staff from the DA’s office weekly. About 100 families of students, 27J leadership, and DA staff came to see the exhibit.

Quist Middle School students created a butterfly art display to help them heal from the impacts of the pandemic. The Adam County District Attorney’s office heard about the art display in a Colorado Community Media story.

The DA’s office contacted Quist to partner with them on an art project that would develop connections with the community and help with therapeutic healing impacted by the COVID-19.

“The students who worked on the art are from sixth through eighth grade. It took us about four hours to put the display together at the DA’s Office,” said Taylor Marino, Quist Middle School Science teacher.

Work on the project started in October 2021, and it went on the walls at the middle school at the end of February 2022.

“We are so excited to see this display,” Marino said.

Art Club student Michael Leslie came with his family to see his butterfly, which he painted with geometric patterns.

“I really like patterns on everything. I painted it with reds and greens with words on the back too,” said Leslie.

Izzy Sands loved spending time in the Art Club to create nature scenes.

“My pastel work is of a river going through a field. I did this because I saw some pictures of similar things online. I thought it was a wonderful thing from nature. I recreated it in my own style. It turned out very well and I especially like the sunset in the background,” said Sands.

Amelia Jarosz in the Art Club painted sunsets and beaches from her travels.

“I love sunsets and taking pictures of sunsets and the beach,” said Jarosz.

Beth Marks-Berner, Quist Middle School English Language Arts teacher, said she has mixed feelings now that it is done.

“To be honest with you, this has been the best part of my year,” Marks-Berner said. “School has not been easy this year. Every Thursday, we met with these kids, and they are lovely and beautiful. We enjoyed them and it was just a nice way to build community and I loved it. I’m relieved that it’s over so I can rest.”