Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Local Community Residences Feature Art by Carroll Student

Casey LaphamCarroll senior Casey Lapham will leave her mark in the community long after she graduates in June. The Southlake 18-year-old is using her talent to benefit a local non-profit organization that assists women and children in crisis situations.

The Gatehouse is a new supportive living community in Grapevine. Lapham, who is also a long time Girl Scout, contacted The Gatehouse asking how she could partner with the organization in hopes of achieving a Girl Scout Gold Award. When directors found out she was an art student, they asked if she could help with the wall art.

Lapham said the organizers wanted families to see something bright and happy every day, “I was excited to see how much art could inspire people and make a difference.”

The facility recently celebrated a grand opening and included one of Lapham’s works already installed in the community center. Residents will see her original paintings hanging on the walls of the first two dozen units when the center is ready to welcome families later this spring.

The design for the artwork came from The Gatehouse logo, a sunflower. Lapham painted four different images and presented to directors.

“I had to think about the designs of each piece with a different mindset, since it was to portray a message,” Lapham said. “I added a flower bud to each painting, to illustrate the companionship of children.”

Art is something Lapham has always enjoyed. A long time art student in Carroll ISD, Lapham took art classes at Carroll Middle School and Carroll High School. She says her high school teacher, Mr. Eric Horn was her favorite, “He knew how to help you get your ideas on paper and stretch them to your highest potential.” She said her favorite medium is graphite on paper.

Artist tools in hand, Lapham set out to create 24 pieces of large art. The canvases are 30″x 30″ and one will be hung inside each of the apartments scheduled to open in April. In addition to these paintings, Lapham hosted a painting workshop for younger girl scouts at Grapevine’s Painting with a Twist. Participants donated their finished canvases to The Gatehouse as well. Lapham says all the artwork will have an impact on residents, “This would be a daily reminder that someone that they did not even know cared about them and wanted to create something just for them!”

Lapham also said she couldn’t have completed all the paintings without the help of her family, her Girl Scout Troop #4032 and friends who helped sponsor each canvas. Lapham will graduate from Carroll ISD in June and plans to attend the University of Oklahoma in the fall.

To read more about The Gatehouse, click here.

An image of a family bowling and dining

Photo of a solar eclipse