Once destined for the recycling bin, plastic caps got their due as part of a fun, original art project harnessing the creative energy of one Wyckoff school's first ever artist-in-residence.  

Coolidge Elementary School teamed up with Ohio artist Michelle Stitzlein for the underwater-themed project that invited students to draw sea creatures, some of which would later be embellished with recycled bottle caps.

Wearing an apron decorated with bottle cap flowers Stitzlein spoke about using recycled materials to create art and provided a hands-on demonstration to students and parent volunteers.

Stitzlein demonstrated how the multi-colored caps can be used to create 3D works of art during the two-day workshop.    

Parent-volunteer Judy White and her first grade son Brady used a drill to attach caps to a giant plywood cutout. 

“I have spent the last few months collecting caps wherever I went — including ball fields — and it is great to finally see them come to life,” said White.

Stitzlein, who has a studio in Baltimore, Ohio, said she's been working since 2000 to salvage and repurpose materials like broken china, piano keys and license plates for her art.

In 2004, when a local school asked her to present a program to the students, she had to rethink the sometimes-jagged objects she was using.

“Since many of the materials I work with can be sharp and dangerous, I needed to find a material that was kid-friendly," said Stitzlein. "Caps are colorful, plentiful and it's a way to reuse and recycle while creating something new.” 

Now, Stitzlein travels to approximately 20 cities every year presenting her workshops at museums, art festivals, camps and schools.

The Coolidge artist-in-residence program is funded by the school's Parent Teacher Organization.

“It was a great opportunity for the children to work with an artist, and collecting the caps was not only a school project but a community effort,” said PTO President Annie Tubbs. 

Coolidge joined Washington and Lincoln elementary schools in creating cap art to display in their buildings.

Coolidge Principal Robert Famularo said the sea creature cap art will be displayed in hallway corridors and the school's multi-purpose room.

“I was very impressed by the student’s creativity and the passion with which they approached this task," Famularo said. "Every child had a significant role in creating the end product."

And lots of those kids seemed to enjoy the experience. 

"It was cool to get to use a drill in school," said fifth grader Sorab Taneja.