Matt Lively is a local artist in Richmond, Virginia who is known for one his most famous piece “Bee-Cycle”. He is 45 years old and has a Fine Arts degree along with his masters in education. Art teacher Rachel Prinicipie has welcomed Lively to help with an installation art piece in the courtyard of Clover Hill High School. 

Senior Casper Sisic has also taken part in constructing this project since last year, and he shared how he feels about this ongoing installation.                                           

“I thought it was a really good idea because we can make something pretty and have it be functional for students,“ Sisic said. “Matt Lively is a really cool guy and I really think he’s gonna help us a lot.”

Last year students created a miniature sculpture to visualize their final idea. This year they are finally beginning the real installation and they are beginning to really plan the layout and bring this thing to life. 

Senior Lyric Bloomquest recognizes that being able to work with a local artist is not an ordinary opportunity. 

“This is not an opportunity that we would normally get to be able to work with someone like that,” Bloomquest said. 

Sisic explained that the students involved with this installation wanted it to be within the theme ‘whimsical’. This piece will consist of lots of nature. The students are currently working with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which is a versatile plastic, to make giant sculptures for this installation. 

Additionally, he added that the students are using PVC to create these large mushrooms that will be used in the courtyard. 

Furthermore, the students are trying to plant a garden that contains native plants that are not high maintenance so they will be able to live and exist on their own. Those plants are going to help filter the water that flows into the drains, which actually flows and ends up directly into the James River. 

“We are trying to help the environment while also making the courtyard very pretty and a nice place to hangout,” Sisic said.

The installation piece for the courtyard is not just a huge art project, but it is also to help benefit the students who love to work in the courtyard during class time. 

“The installation piece is trying to make the courtyard look pretty, but also making a functional art piece that serves as an environmentally sustainable type thing,” Sisic said.

Bloomquest similarly expresses excitement for the beautification of the courtyard. 

“We can now go out into the courtyard and enjoy it. It can be a communal space,” Bloomquest said.