STUDENT'S ARTWORK PICKED FOR STATIONARY

A local seventh-grader never guessed a year ago that a routine art class project would live on in perpetuity thanks to the City of Cape Girardeau.

Carrie Lasky's watercolor of the historic Kage house, 120 Broadway, was selected from dozens of other entries to be printed on informal city stationary and note cards.

Carrie, 13, and a student at L.J. Schultz School, said she did the painting as part of a sixth-grade project in teacher Anita Dickerson's art class at Clippard Elementary.

"I had to pick an old building downtown I could paint," Carrie said.

After perusing photographs and articles from magazines and newspapers, Carrie said she settled on the Kage building, which is Ye Ole House gift shop.

"I picked this building because I knew I could draw it and it would be fun," she said.

Dozens of student paintings of various Cape Girardeau landmarks hung in City Hall during the fall and winter. Because the drawings were so attractive, City Planner Kent Bratton suggested to members of the city's Historic Preservation Commission that they select one to be printed on city stationary.

Brenda Schloss of the city planning office said Carrie will receive a $50 savings bond from the city for her efforts.

Carrie, who is the daughter of Richard and Debbie Lasky, also plays the trombone and takes piano lessons. She said she likes art and typically draws animals, especially dogs. Hanging in her bedroom is a framed painting she made of a Dalmatian looking at his reflection in a mirror.

"I just do it for fun," she said, adding that having her drawing selected by the city is a feather in her cap. "It's really neat. It feels good. I'm proud of it."