Fifth-Graders Provide Ninth-Inning 'Relief' for 3-D Little League Artwork

Published 02.27.2014

News

Charles Fazzino watches as students add dimension to the anniversary artwork.Base paths float above the colorful playing surface on blobs of near-invisible support.A helping hand directs a student to the proper location for her artistic contribution.The 3-D view from the pitcher's moundA blend of concentration and coordination maneuvers a building block into place.In a program co-sponsored by Penn College, the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania and Little League International, area fifth-graders collaborated with New York artist Charles Fazzino on an eye-popping, three-dimensional showpiece to commemorate Little League's 75th anniversary. Fazzino and students from Lycoming and Sullivan counties gathered Thursday morning at the Little League complex in South Williamsport to create the artwork; he also held professional-development activities for teachers and met with high school students during his three-day stay. “Little League has played a vital role in our greater community here in central Pennsylvania for 75 years,” said college President Davie Jane Gilmour, who chairs the Little League International Board of Directors and serves on the FCFP board. “This is an exciting project where we can follow in Little League founder Carl E. Stotz’s vision to educate area children while creating a lasting work of art to celebrate the community and Little League’s commitment to developing major-league people.” The piece will be dedicated during this year's Little League Baseball World Series and displayed in the World of Little League: Peter J. McGovern Museum. Others created by area students in conjunction with Fazzino's visit will be showcased in The Gallery at Penn College from July 10-Aug. 24 (the closing day of the LLB World Series).
Photos by Craig R. Urey, student photographer