If art is all about self-expression, then the sixth graders of Old Hammondtown School are a bunch of wild animals.

For several weeks, art teacher Greta Anderson has helped her students create masks of papier mâché, poster board, paint, and even feathers.

“They chose an animal or a creature they felt connected to in some way – something that had qualities they admire or something they felt like connected to who they already were,” explained Anderson.

Sophia Clingman’s alligator or crocodile mask (she hadn’t decided yet,) had a long green snout. “I chose this animal because I like how it can fend for itself, even in the most harsh climates,” she said.

Caroline Downes, a self-described night owl, modeled her mask off of a completed one on display in the classroom. As she painted various shades of brown onto her 3D owl mask, Caroline said she the hoots she hears outside her home at night inspired her.

“I just kind of like owls – how they come out at night,” she said.

While most kids based their masks off of real animals, that didn’t mean they couldn’t be fanciful.

Adam Bereault worked on a buzzard in his baseball team’s colors, while Michael Barry took some creative license with his duck-billed platypus.

Khalil Awer also created a fanciful animal with his purple flerple, a shark-tiger hybrid.

“I just came up with the word randomly,” said Khalil. “I said it, and everyone laughed. It rhymes with purple so I made it purple.”

Khalil said sharks are his favorite animal, and he also relates to tigers. “It’s like me. I have a soft side,” he said.

Anderson hopes the masks will be completed in time for Old Hammondtown's schoolwide art show on May 23.