Rockwood School District students got the opportunity to showcase their artistic talents by participating in the Take a Seat Public Art project with Chesterfield Arts.

With the guidance of art teachers, students at Babler Elementary, Ballwin Elementary, Chesterfield Elementary, Eureka Elementary, Green Trails Elementary, LaSalle Springs Middle, Ridge Meadows Elementary, Uthoff Valley Elementary, Rockwood South Middle and Rockwood Valley Middle are joining 13 other local schools (22 total) from the area as they design a life-sized fiberglass-formed “Chesterfield chair"—a high-back style of chairs made famous by classic British upholstery techniques. 

The Chesterfield seating design dates back to the British club chair popular in London men's clubs in the 19th century. Men went the clubs to relax in padded chairs and to drink and smoke cigars. A Chesterfield, or club chair, has a very thick padded seat as well as all-over padding for comfort.

More than 1,000 students, ranging from kindergarten through college, will contribute to this one-of-a-kind art design. Artists from the St. Louis Community College-Wildwood also are participating.

Linda Sachs, art teacher at Ridge Meadows, described the project as a wonderful opportunity for students in a Rockwood announcement: "Students were engaged in every aspect of the chair; from designing, drawing, outlining and painting, the students enjoyed creating a piece of art for the community to enjoy.” 

On June 2, the artwork will be unveiled at the Chesterfield Amphitheatre between 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, with a free concert immediately afterward.

The following sponsors have helped with the project by supporting various school groups:

Chesterfield Jewelers - Barat Academy
Commerce Bank - Parkway West High School
Logan College of Chiropractic - Green Trails Elementary School
Maryville University - Parkway South High School
Paragon Restoration - Chesterfield Elementary School
PNC Bank (Clarkson) - Highcroft Elementary School
PNC Bank (Wildwood) - Babler Elementary School
Ritter Berkeley Consulting Engineers - Ridge Meadows Elementary School
Sam's Club (Chesterfield) - Christian Brothers College High School
Sano & Company - Parkway Central Middle School
St. Louis County Library, Sachs Branch - St. Louis Community College - Wildwood
UMB Bank - Ballwin Elementary School and Eureka Elementary School
Waterway Carwash - Visitation Academy