ROCHESTER — Hours after school ended, Rochester Memorial school was buzzing again with students and their parents looking at art and science projects, visiting with a therapy dog, buying books and adding to a tape mural. 

The May 23 Art Show and Science fair showcased diverse projects across the building. A sign saying “Welcome to the Rochester Memorial Museum” greeted parents and students as they entered from the parking lot. 

Grade five students had made art with glow in the dark paint, which they showcased behind the stage curtains. Out in the cafeteria students showcased their science projects (including one on radiation at home), or could pose with artistic renderings of famous paintings. 

In the hallways, animal dioramas and paintings combined with paper versions of Chinese vases or dripping paint murals. In the ceramic studio, colorfully decorated pots were scattered on tables for parents to admire. 

One second grade exhibit about a therapy dog was dedicated to Chloe Harding, a Rochester girl who died of cancer in February. A poster by the exhibit noted that the Harding family donated to the Square 1 art fundraiser each year, and that this year $125 of from the art fundraiser was donated to the Therapy Dog International Association in Chloe’s honor, because she loved dogs. 

Plumb Library brought Amos the therapy dog in, and provided a variety of other activities. Rochester author Sarah Stubbs, who just published her first children’s book this year, was also in attendance, raffling off a basket with her book, “The Reluctant Detective.” 

The Art Show also served as a time to show off the work that students had done with tape mural artists Tape Art on May 22. Students started on (and Art Show participants were encouraged to continue) an environmentally-themed tape mural dedicated to Rochester Memorial Teacher Thomas Kinsky, who will be retiring at the end of this year.