Once upon a time, in a small town, children feared monsters—creatures with sharp claws and glowing eyes lurking in the dark. But everything changed when “The Monster Project” was created by the Hattiesburg Pocket Museum.
The museum’s curators encouraged elementary students to draw their own monsters, while middle and high schoolers transformed those drawings into sculptures. As the creatures took shape—some big and gentle, others quirky and fun—their fearsome reputations faded.
Prior to May 1st, opening day of the exhibit at the Pocket Museum, the children marveled at their creations which were brought to life. No longer were the monsters terrifying, but instead full of character and charm. In that moment, they realized monsters weren’t something to fear but to understand. From then on, the monsters became guardians of imagination, proving that what we fear most can sometimes become our greatest friend.
And so, the town’s children never feared the dark quite as much again. The End
About the Monster Project
Middle and high school students, under the direction of Lissa Ortego, sculpted monsters from natural clay, based on drawings submitted to The Hattiesburg Pocket Museum by young artists from across the Pine Belt.
Lissa Ortego is the owner of Bristles Art Studio, where she works with after-school artists of all ages. She also teaches art and ceramics at Sumrall High School.
Below is a list of the older students who brought these creations to life, alongside the names of the younger artists who originally designed them.
Halee Applewhite 10th grade Sumrall High School for Lauren Bilbo, Age 7
Madison Knight 10th grade Sumrall High School for Parker Bell, Age 6
Makenzie Hathorn 10th grade Sumrall High School for Haisley Cocilova Age 8
Akira Barnes, 11th grade Sumrall High School for Kaesen McLain, Age 7
Claire Cochran, 11th grade Sumrall High School for Cooper Collins, Age 5
Carlie Hollingsworth, 11th grade Sumrall High School for Nora Grace Bell, Age 7
Addie Siders, 12th grade Sumrall High School for Kate Israel, Age 7
Etta Kate Marsh, 9th grade Sumrall High School for Warren Morris, Age 7
Brooke Trigg, 9th grade Sumrall High School for Lincoln Waters, Age 7
Jenna Claire Russell, 12th grade Sumrall High School for Braxton Overby, Age 7
Livie de Lassus, 10th grade Purvis High School for Charli Rogers, Age 8
Lillie Crow, 8th grade, Oak Grove Middle School for Leia Menjivar, Age 8
Caroline Hatten, 8th grade, Presbyterian Christian High School for Endersen Milton, Age 8
Kristen McCuddy, 10th grade, homeschool for Abram Bernstein, Age 7
Clarice Sharp, 10th grade, Oak Grove High School for Lynlee Mae Henry, Age 8
Alec Thompson, 10th grade, Oak Grove High School for Jackson Huddleston, Age 7
Avery Davis, 7th grade, Sumrall Middle School for Samuel Garcia, Age 8
Gretchen McClure, 9th grade, Petal High School for Hazel Woods, Age 5
