Sharon Theard, middle school art teacher, gave her eighth-graders an assignment to design a cake in the genre of Wayne Thiebaud, a famed painter known for colorful artwork of pies, cakes and pastries.
But Theard then took the project one step further, teaming up with Central Pastry to host a cake decorating contest based on the student’s artwork.
On Monday, 27 student-created artworks depicting cakes were hung in the Central Avenue shop so customers could vote for their favorite. The first, second and third place finishers will have their artwork transformed into real confections by Central Pastry owner Vera Slamka.
“I am all about getting student artwork out in the community,” Theard said. “We have so many wonderful, intelligent and talented students in our school.”
It is the second year for the contest. Elizabeth Slamka, Vera’s daughter and store manager, said last year’s contest was a customer favorite.
“It is really just so much fun and people took it very seriously,” Slamka said. “They really went over and looked at all the designs.”
She added many were very surprised the artwork was created by 13- and 14-year-olds.
Voting will continue through Nov. 23 at the shop at 1518 Central Ave.
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