Second grade students at Del Prado Elementary School in suburban Boca Raton welcomed a new panther to their school courtyard Tuesday morning.
The fiberglass panther is the fifth art installation of the painted panther project.
Students choose a theme each year to showcase on the panther with a guest artist.
This year’s theme was based on a children’s book called The Clown Who Lost His Smile by Alfred Herman. The author sketched the panther and the students painted them in.
The students get to perform a play, write their own scripts and paint the panther.
“To bring a little art, sophistication and snazziness to an otherwise somewhat dull courtyard,” said Melissa Pierce, second grade teacher at Del Prado Elementary school who’s behind the project.
Mrs. Pierce says the art project is only possible thanks to donations. She hopes to be able to continue the tradition she says also prepares students for the future.