Louisiana Students Thank School Maintenance Staff by Depicting Them in Artwork

School maintenance staff have been shown appreciation in many ways from thank you cards and gift cards to brunches and other gifts. But students at a school in Louisiana took their appreciation a step further by painting portraits of the school’s custodial staff, FOX-TV reports.

More than 50 art students at Jewish Community Day in Metairie, Louisiana, found inspiration from American artist Bisa Butler—who is known for her colors and patterns on quilted portraits and designs. Imitating her style, with embellishments of their own, they painted the portraits of the custodians who play an important role at the school.

“I really wanted to have a project that revolved around thanking” the custodians that were keeping the campus clean and safe during the pandemic,” said Abby Wetsman, the school’s art teacher. “All of the kids really remember the spring and are very glad that we’re in school now. So we talked about how without the maintenance staff, we wouldn’t be able to be here.”

Calvin Casimier, one of the custodians at the school, said he was surprised and thankful to see his portrait. “I looked at it and I saw the forehead, and I looked down and said, ‘Well, this is really me!’ I was identical. I couldn’t believe it.” He added that, “It was amazing. To be a part of it is even better because it took me to another level.”

The school is currently displaying the paintings but plans to give the portraits to the custodial staff.