'Angry Birds' Inspires Award-Winning State Fair Artwork for Edina Students

Members of the and KIDS Clubs used the popular video game "Angry Birds" as inspiration for a number of award-winning pieces of artwork at the 2012 Minnesota State Fair.

Betsy Madson, a paraprofessional who leads the KIDS Clubs, worked with the students to help them use clay, beads and other mediums to create artwork to enter into the State Fair. Madson is no stranger to the State Fair, having entered her works in the State Fair's creative activities category for more than 20 years now.

Many of this year's entries were inspired by "Angry Birds," a strategy puzzle game first made popular on iPhones.

“It is amazing to see the kids really take pride in what they are doing,” Madson said. “When I brought the projects over to the Fair, people couldn’t believe that 1st and 2nd graders had made these creations.”

Students entered their work in categories ranging from clay and mixed media to pictures and jewelry. More than half of the 15 entries earned either first, second or third place ribbons at the fair. Students also took home modest monetary prizes—something in the neighborhood of $5—in addition to their ribbons.

Among the award-winners were:

• Jessie Bindas, 2nd place, Sculptures (1st grade)
• Callie Herold, 2nd place, Sculptures (1st grade)
• Ansley Lauer, 3rd place, Marker Drawing (2nd grade)
• Ansley Lauer, 2nd place, Mixed Media Drawing (2nd grade)
• Ella Kachmarzinski, 4th place, Mixed Media Drawing (2nd grade)
• Sofia Haley, 1st place, Jewelry (2nd grade)
• Sam Haddad, 3rd place, Jewelry (2nd grade)
• Ansley Lauer, 4th place, Jewelry (2nd grade)
• Jack Herzer, 2nd place, Jewelry (3rd grade)

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