The thought of an entire class doing the same art project, like painting sunflowers, seems to miss the point of creative expression, said Kari Pepper, a teacher at Mountain Middle School.

She would much rather see students use their creativity in designing an art project, including choosing which mediums to express themselves.

“I really love seeing students find their artistic voice, because not all kids are confident coming into an art room,” Pepper said.

Pepper, 53, developed her style of teaching over 25 years at schools in Oregon, Bayfield and Durango. She believes art education fosters the creativity and problem-solving skills needed in the modern workforce.

“The arts just feed the mind that way, as well as the soul,” Pepper said. “It’s a crucial piece in our education system for raising our next generation of kiddos.”

Pepper was selected as the Colorado Art Educator of the Year by the Colorado Art Education Association based on the culmination of her career. She was honored by the association last weekend.

The association lauded her work in school leadership, as a mentor to new teachers, and an educator who challenges her students and finds creative ways to showcase their work. In one case, her students’ work was displayed in Times Square during the National Art Conference.

This week, fifth graders in Pepper’s class were abuzz with activity, painting, drawing and sculpting with cardboard, among other activities.

Last year, the Mountain Middle School art teacher focused on drawing and painting, but Pepper provides her class with far more options and expects her students to expand on their ideas, the students said.

“She’s really creative and pushes you to try your hardest,” said Jed Lawler, 10.

Natalie Deming and Wave Frazer, both age 10, said they started building a model house using cardboard. But it turned into a veterinary clinic, rehab center and sanctuary for parrots to raise awareness about endangered status of parrot species. The model included an X-ray machine and an examination table.

“Wave and I both have a love for animals, especially Macaws,” Deming said.

Pepper said seeing her students have fun in class and take pride in their creations has kept her in the classroom for a quarter century.

But she is mulling a change of careers and may trade teaching for art. The shift could mean taking on the challenge that she puts to her students – finding her own artistic voice.

“I don’t usually take the easy route,” she said.

mshinn@durangoherald.com