Sutro Tower: A Beacon for Creativity in Glen Park School
Viewable from Glen Park School, Sutro Tower continues to be an inspiration for students to express their creativity and connect with their surroundings.
Creating paintings of Sutro Tower is now a tradition at the school, initiated eight years ago by third grade teacher Sheila Tenney. Recognizing the student anxiety that can come with starting a new school year, Tenney sought a way to foster a sense of belonging and community. Each year, Tenney's students paint their own interpretations of the tower.
Armed with brushes and vibrant colors, they transform blank canvases into a kaleidoscope of perspectives. Some capture the tower's stoic grandeur, while others infuse it with whimsical details, reflecting different artistic styles.
Tenney marvels at the creativity that pours out of her students. Each brushstroke tells a unique story.
For her, the Sutro Tower paintings are more than just a yearly art project; they are a reminder of the importance of encouraging students’ imagination and helping them develop a sense of place.
"The idea is to focus on community”, says Tenney. "We can see Sutro Tower from our classroom, and I explain that no matter where you are in San Francisco, when you see Sutro Tower - you know that you are home."
Click below to view more of the colorful works by Tenney’s fall 2023 students.
