One School, One Book, One Community: How a Story Unites Students, Families, and All of Lititz
July 9, 2025
Fiber Art: A Hands-On Grant That Sparked Big Creativity
Art class at Lititz Elementary got a creative upgrade this year—complete with felting, batik, and embroidery, and excited students who didn’t want to stop.
Through the “Learning Through Fibers” grant, Art Teacher Melissa Reifsnyder introduced her students to new materials and hands-on fiber art techniques rarely part of a traditional elementary curriculum.
“Working with fibers allows them to engage with art in a tactile, three-dimensional way that traditional materials can’t always provide,” Reifsnyder shared.
The result sparked enthusiasm while reinforcing essential art concepts like color, line, texture, and form, and introducing principles such as pattern, contrast, and balance. Best of all, it helped students strengthen their fine motor skills in fun, engaging ways.
“The students were thrilled to use new materials,” Reifsnyder said. “Their excitement was the best part of the project.”
That excitement went beyond the classroom. Students asked to take their fiber projects home, worked on them during free time, and even wanted to buy supplies so they could keep creating over the summer.
“They were so engaged,” Reifsnyder added. “They wanted to know where to get the supplies to make more at home. That kind of enthusiasm is exactly what we hope to inspire.”
This unforgettable experience was made possible by the generosity of Warwick Education Foundation donors. Your support allows students to explore new art forms, discover their talents, and fall in love with the creative process.
Thank you for investing in innovative learning opportunities that spark big imagination—one stitch at a time.
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