For the past several months, more than 20 blog readers and members of the Army Of Good – including someone from France – have been sending Sue Silverstein, the art and community service teacher at Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, New York, all kinds of used and discarded buttons.

Sue, an art hoarder, has been collecting and saving them and this week unleashed them on her art club. Marie did the first work; it’s an Art Banyan Tree; Maria painted the background first, then added the buttons.

Sue and Maria have many things in common. One is that they love to receive discarded things and turn them into art.

If you have used and discarded things – jewelry, metal objects, stuffing, patterns, old fabric,  buttons, brushes or acrylic paint or canvas, feel free to send them to Sue Silverstein, Art Project, Bishop Gibbons High School, 2600 Albany Street, Schenectady, New York, 12304.

And thanks. You have no idea what an impact you are making on these young people; Sue is lighting creative sparks all over the place.