A discussion among teachers was all it took for the idea to take hold that has led to the birth of Logan County’s newest panda bear. While not actually breathing, the poster-sized mosaic by pupils of Benjamin Logan Elementary art teacher Darrin Reese has a certain life of its own.

What started as a way to showcase individual pieces became a collaborative work that resulted in 562 pupils in first through fourth grades each drawing on a 4-by-6-inch piece of paper. Students were allowed to draw whatever their imaginations created, as long as the final product was an animal drawn primarily in black and white.

Mr. Reese encouraged his pupils to draw the animals as if the lights had been turned off, not only to give them a different perspective, but also to help in creating the darker portions of the panda.

The picture of a panda was chosen after students began work, with the individual pictures taking three to four weeks to complete. Afterward, Mr. Reese scanned each drawing into a computer before using special software to arrange the works into the final product.

“A lot of people have stopped to compliment us, and I give all the credit to the students because they really did the animals and the work,” Mr. Reese said. “We appreciate people taking the time to come see.”

The final product is now hanging in the common area just inside Ben Logan Elementary. The public is encouraged to peek into the office to ask about seeing the mosaic firsthand.

 “What I hope to see happen is to tie (a project like this) in every four years with a theme,” Mr. Reese said. Because the current kindergartners were busy with other projects, this timeline would allow them to participate in something similar during their fourth-grade year.

The Wild and Wonderful World of Art theme continues throughout the school year with pupils working on various animal- or nature-related projects depending on their grade levels.