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The office at Everett Learning Opportunity Center has a face lift in the form of four murals of 20 ceramic tiles each -- done by students serving time at the county's alternative school. Art teacher Karol Smith hopes this and other similar projects helps these students visualize better futures for themselves.

Smith has been volunteering in this ArtReach program for the past five years at Everett. The 80 students, who are all in high school, started the ceramic tile mural project last year and completed it just days ago. The teens-turned-artists were each given a blank tile and few parameters for designing them: no numbers, no letters and no pictures.

"I wanted them to focus on design," Smith said, "and that stumped them a little bit."

What came out of this challenge were pieces of art these students can be proud of, their teacher said. Once complete, the 80 tiles, measuring 6-by-6 inches each, were separated into four groupings to create four large murals that are now hanging in the school office. Lowe's in Maryville donated the tiles for the project. After the students added their personal touches, Smith fired each in her kiln.

Smith's husband Roy framed the backer board to which the tiles are adhered, and he also painted the frames. He has helped his wife on several of her student art projects.

The right fit

Smith has been volunteering her time with youth for several years, first in the Loudon County alternative school, Chestnut Ridge, back in 1994 after moving to the East Tennessee area from Michigan. She later moved to Blount County and discovered Everett. A meeting with Dr. Steve Moser, coordinator of alternative programs, brought enthusiasm from both sides.

Fine Arts agreed at that time to fund the art supplies, and Smith began teaching art at Everett for two and a half hours each week. Others from FAB substituted for her at times.

Smith treasures memories of her students, some who have contacted her months after completing their education.

"Most of these kids have lacked attention in their lives," she said. "They haven't had someone to listen to them. In these art projects I tell them they can't make any mistakes and they like that. Mistakes are what got them here. I hope they learn a skill that gets them out into the job market and helps them set a goal. They need a goal in life."

Moser said students are sent to Everett from the two Blount County high schools for varied reasons -- attendance issues, violation of school rules, disrespect, fighting or having drugs on campus. There are no students there who have assaulted teachers or students or have brought weapons to school or made bomb threats. Some are at Everett for a few weeks while others spend entire school years there.

Smith plans to "retire" from this volunteer teaching job at the end of the year to spend more time with her family. She said it's hard to let go of something that has been rewarding to her, but it's time. She hasn't ruled out coming back at some point and tackling another subject -- algebra. She professed to needing to polish up first before being able to coach these high schoolers in that area.

Over the years, Smith has taught several art projects that students have really excelled at. One year she had them all make ceramic masks, which were then displayed at Maryville College. Another project involved making wooden stools. Print making, oil painting, clay, mobiles, pumpkin carving, pine needle basket weaving and sculpture have all been part of the curriculum.

Self-esteem, self-awareness, skill development, and an eye toward a successful future are some of the components Smith wants these students to take away as they prepare for adulthood. They are bright kids with lots of potential, she said. They just need some help getting back on track.

One teen, when he had finished making one of the wooden stools in class, told Smith, "I wish every day could be like this," she said.

"That's the best paycheck," she said.