PROJECTS OPENING HIGH SCHOOL KIDS' EYES TO ART AROUND THEM STUDENTS CREATING FOR FUN AND PROFIT.

Byline: Sue Doyle Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Shannon Harmon never noticed store window designs until she painted her own school's windows for an art project.

Now the 16-year-old sees them everywhere, she said, rubbing white paint Friday into a window in the courtyard at Bowman High School where students from Mary Gaskin's art class were putting the finishing touches on snowmen, trees and other winter scenes they painted on windows.

``I never cared before, but now that I'm doing this, I check them all the time,'' said the high school junior, noting that some fast-food restaurants were first to have holiday decorations painted on them.

Gaskin said painting windows for businesses can be a profitable trade, an idea that she emphasizes with students considering careers in art.

With a class full of teenagers who enjoy hands-on work, Gaskin often discusses how they can make money from different opportunities in the work force that will best utilize the skills they have.

Many from the 500-student high school pursue a trade after graduation. Some learn about different jobs through classes such as Gaskin's.

The holiday project sparked something inside of Harmon, who said she's interested in painting windows professionally. However, her dream job is in fashion design.

It was a graphic arts class taken in ninth grade that changed everything for Wade McCracken.

While painting a propaganda poster from World War I - a collaborative project with history, art and government classes - McCracken said he wants to one day be a silk screener.

He said the job would lend itself to designing T-shirts, CD covers and other creations. The inspiration comes from that graphics art class.

Sometimes the projects turn students on to something new, even if a future can't be carved from it, such as with needlepoint. Gaskin said students still learn skills from projects like this that can be transferred into other work.

At first, Scott Ragsdale, 17, completely rejected the idea of sewing with yarn. But then he gave it a try and said he found it entertaining. He said it makes him notice detail.

After graduation, Ragsdale wants to attend trade school and work with wood, whether it's in construction or some type of design.

``I don't want to sit behind a desk all my life,'' Ragsdale said. ``I want to work with my hands.''

Needlepoint also was new to Paul Tamborrino before he took the art class. He worked on an embroidered frame that he'll put his picture in and give to his mother. The skill, he said, is a good way to pass time.

``If you are old, this would be fun,'' the 17-year-old said. ``And if you're bored, this gives you something to do.''

Sue Doyle, [phone]

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Students at Bowman High create holiday artwork on classroom windows as part of a project.

(2) Erik Forbes, 18, of Castaic works on a tree on a window at Bowman High on Friday.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer