The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Seaside office is home to a vivid collection of hexagon-shaped artwork, courtesy of Warrenton Middle School and Warrenton Grade School students. These 60 junior artists have infused the Child Welfare lobby with an eclectic range of images and words, from sporting scenes to peaceful sloths, each piece a testament to their personal connections and communal ties. As reported by the ODHS, visitors and staff alike have taken notice of this creative addition, finding moments of reflection and inspiration within the colorful displays.
Kaylin Hammond, Child Welfare Resource Developer, originally proposed the art installation idea, collaborating with the schools and their art teacher, Heidi Lent, to bring it to life. Lent explained to the ODHS that the hexagon, with its interconnected lines, symbolizes the complex web of human relationships, echoing themes of social justice, peace, and the environment. The art project was designed to mirror the Interdependence Hexagon Project, focusing on the connections within the community, the county, and the school.
The students' work involves messages of love, strength, and solace. A notable piece includes a painting of a soccer player paired with the words "You're STRONG!," while another artwork, featuring a gray and white dog, reminds us of the comfort our furry friends provide. Such art pieces were not only meant to visually please but also, as shared by the Oregon Department of Human Services, to invoke thoughtful reflection on what brings us joy and community spirit.
The newly opened ODHS office at 1111 Roosevelt Drive, near Seaside Outlet Mall stores, is more than just a space to oversee programs for child welfare, eligibility, and self-sufficiency—it is now also a small gallery of young hearts and minds eager to express their views and to actively engage with the fabric of their surroundings, proving once again the profound impact that art, and the school community, can have in forging stronger bonds within our broader societal collective.
