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Deniliquin North Public School cleaner creates stunning artwork on classroom carpet

Posted on by Vaseline
Deniliquin North Public School cleaner creates stunning artwork on classroom carpet

One evening a week, school cleaner Laurie Nelson kneels on the floor of an empty classroom and carefully vacuums a surprising work of art onto a memory foam carpet.

The weekly exhibition is a great success for the young students at Deniliquin North Public School, who come in in the morning and are always excited to discover the new artwork.

Ms Nelson said the exhibits, which range from majestic stallions to curious penguins, are designed to delight both children and staff.

“Everyone loves it,” she said.

“I just get a quick idea when I’m working and then I run with it.”

Woman in a blue jacket smiles at the camera.
Cleaner Laurie Nelson is putting a smile on many faces at school with her unique art.(Supplied: Deniliquin North Public School. )

The school cleaner started this tradition about a month ago, at the suggestion of a colleague.

Nowadays she produces the works on a random day of the week, after she has finished her cleaning duties.

An image of an elephant, brushed into the pile of a dark blue carpet.
Not to mention, school cleaner Laurie Nelson often uses her skills to create animal images to engage students.(Supplied: NSW Dept of Education.)

The Elephant by Laurie Nelson. (Supplied: NSW Dept of Education)

Blue carpet with a shark chasing a swimmer
Tapestry art featuring a shark chasing a swimmer at Deniliquin North Public School.(Supplied: NSW Department of Education)

The Shark by Laurie Nelson. (Supplied: NSW Dept of Education)

Blue carpet with penguin
Tapestry art featuring a penguin at Deniliquin North Public School.(Supplied: NSW Department of Education)

The Penguin by Laurie Nelson. (Supplied: NSW Dept of Education)

Blue carpet with a fish
Fish tapestry art at Deniliquin North Public School.(Supplied: NSW Department of Education)

The Fish by Laurie Nelson. (Supplied: NSW Dept of Education)

‘Good start to the day’

The young students at school quickly learn that a locked classroom door in the morning means there is a beautiful work of art in the classroom.

Fergus Maslen, who is in Year 2, said the first artwork was a “big surprise” and described the cleaner as a “really good artist”.

His classmate Kobee Williams said it must be “really hard” to create art on a carpet and called the new tradition a “great way to start the day.”

Two young primary school children in blue shirts smile at the camera.
Fergus Maslen and Kobee Williams are big fans of their school cleaner’s art. (Supplied: Deniliquin North Public School)

According to teacher Carly Crothers, the displays completely changed the mood of the morning.

“They’ve got their routine down,” she said.

“For a group of six and seven year olds to come in so sensibly and walk around so carefully and cautiously to make sure they don’t ruin the artwork before everyone has seen it is really quite adorable.”

“We are so happy to have her”

Mrs. Nelson typically uses a vacuum cleaner and her hands to perfect the piece, but for the smaller details she also uses rulers and pencils.

“Anything I can find that I think will work, I take it and use it,” she said.

“It’s all about shading and getting the pile in the right direction. That can be quite funny sometimes.”

A blonde woman wearing blue plastic gloves kneels down to draw a picture on a carpet.
Mrs. Nelson uses various tools to create the artwork.(Supplied: NSW Dept of Education. )

Mrs Nelson has previously won awards for her pencil drawings at the Deniliquin Pastoral and Agricultural Show, but tapestry art is a new medium for her.

Mrs Crothers said the class was blessed to have such a talented cleaner.

“She’s amazing. We’re so lucky to have her, and she’s way too humble,” she said.

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