Eckel Paints Claypool Students A Picture Of Abraham Lincoln
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
CLAYPOOL – As the story of Abraham Lincoln unfolded on the stereo Friday afternoon, Claypool Elementary students watched as Marc Eckel’s painting took shape. Streaks and dots became outlines of the 16th U.S. president, with the eyes of every fourth- through sixth-grader focused on the movement of Eckel’s hands. Eckel finished his work as the Gettysburg Address concluded. The students erupted into applause for the painting, which took Eckel less than 45 minutes to produce. “It was cool,” student Jared Whybrew said after the Lincoln presentation by Eckel. He also said he never saw anything like it before and he learned a lot. According to sixth-grade teacher Jacob Peattie, Marc Eckel’s son Tyler is in his class. Eckel is the owner and founder of the creative arts company Blue Spaghetti in Claypool. Friday was the launch of Blue Spaghetti’s program for schools. “Any school, any size, any age, anywhere. From elementary to college,” Eckel said. He said they want to promote school spirit and patriotism. Splat Experience, which most people know Eckel for, is a Christian performance art ministry, and a division of Blue Spaghetti LLC. According to the official website, splatexperience.com, “At the end of 2012, the ministry has created 20 different paintings and has performed nearly 900 presentations, enough fabric to cover an entire NFL football field. Their presentations, which focus on worship and evangelism, have been experienced in five countries, and in 45 of the United States. They have been featured on two tours with Christian band Casting Crowns, and were nominated for an Emmy award for their work on the ‘Hands of Hope’ television documentary film project in 2012. The ministry strives to lift up the name of Jesus Christ through performance art.”
