• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

World of Wonder Academy showcases students' art in Lakewood Ranch

After finishing each book, the class worked on an art project based on its theme.


  • By Liz Ramos
  • | 3:00 p.m. May 15, 2022
  • East County
  • Schools
  • Share

Lakewood Ranch's Kali Hill smiled as she showed her family the fairy garden she created during a session at World of Wonder Academy.

The family went on to look at the six other art projects Hill, who is 4 years old, worked on during World of Wonder Academy's art show April 25 culminating the eight weeks the students spent together in class.

"It was so cute," said Jessica Hill, Kali Hill's mother. "I love how they themed (the art projects) with a book."

Each week, the class reads a book about a theme, such as kindness to the Earth, teamwork, first responders and Valentine's Day. After reading the book, they would work on an art project related to the theme. For example, they made their own hearts for Valentine's Day and painted a flower pot together to show teamwork. 

East County's Shannon Keever said it was fun seeing the projects her daughter, Hope Fisher, created. 

"We just love WOW school," Keever said. "It was a great experience, and Hope was so proud to show us her artwork."

After viewing their works of art, the students gathered for one last activity: making mud pies.

Mote Ranch's Liam Bryne, a World of Wonder Academy student, paints a police station using mud.
Mote Ranch's Liam Bryne, a World of Wonder Academy student, paints a police station using mud.
Kiajia Claxton, a World of Wonder Academy leader, reads to students before they move onto other activities.
Kiajia Claxton, a World of Wonder Academy leader, reads to students before they move onto other activities.
Lakewood Ranch's Beverly Hill, Jessica Hill and Jim Hill listen to Kali Hill, a World of Wonder Academy student, explain the fairy garden she created.
Lakewood Ranch's Beverly Hill, Jessica Hill and Jim Hill listen to Kali Hill, a World of Wonder Academy student, explain the fairy garden she created.
Lakewood Ranch's Kareem Claxton holds onto his daughter Kristina Claxton while she talks about her art projects.
Lakewood Ranch's Kareem Claxton holds onto his daughter Kristina Claxton while she talks about her art projects.
Shenicka Claxton, a World of Wonder Academy leader, shows students Kristina Claxton and Hope Fisher the artwork they did on Valentine's Day.
Shenicka Claxton, a World of Wonder Academy leader, shows students Kristina Claxton and Hope Fisher the artwork they did on Valentine's Day.
East County's Craig Fisher and his wife, Shannon Keever, admire the artwork from their daughter, Hope Fisher, and other World of Wonder Academy students.
East County's Craig Fisher and his wife, Shannon Keever, admire the artwork from their daughter, Hope Fisher, and other World of Wonder Academy students. "We just love WoW school," Keever says.
Liam Byrne, Kristina Claxton, Hope Fisher and Jeremy Gilkey are proud of the flower pot they painted together one week to go along with the theme of teamwork.
Liam Byrne, Kristina Claxton, Hope Fisher and Jeremy Gilkey are proud of the flower pot they painted together one week to go along with the theme of teamwork.
Mote Ranch's Liam Byrne and Lakewood Ranch's Kali Hill work on making their own mud pies. Heather Manley, a leader of World of Wonder Academy, says Hill loves to mix things.
Mote Ranch's Liam Byrne and Lakewood Ranch's Kali Hill work on making their own mud pies. Heather Manley, a leader of World of Wonder Academy, says Hill loves to mix things.
Kristina Claxton jumps out of the mud bin and onto a piece of cardboard to make art.
Kristina Claxton jumps out of the mud bin and onto a piece of cardboard to make art. "I'm painting with mud," Claxton says.
Jeremy Gilkey makes a mud pie. Gilkey added grass and leaves to his mud pie as well.
Jeremy Gilkey makes a mud pie. Gilkey added grass and leaves to his mud pie as well.

 

Latest News

Manatee County commissioners approve an over $50,000 a month contract for a backup generator for the administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.
  • May 6, 2026
$12.48M generator request causes concern over Manatee County 'money pit'
County Commissioner Tom Knight on Tuesday raised the issue of a fee charged by the Tax Collector's office on money raised by the school district's optional 1-mill property tax.
  • May 6, 2026
County Commission reverses stance on paying school-tax fee
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Schools

Caroline Bartlomiejczuk, Sage Alcorn and Sofia Ortega are members of the orchestra at Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • May 6, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High music department earns national recognition
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
  • May 1, 2026
New school in Lakewood Ranch is officially named Rangeland High School
Elisa Massaro, a senior and battalion commander of the Lakewood Ranch High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, is glad to have had the support of her teachers Richard Roller and William Cassidy.
  • April 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High JROTC program loses longtime leaders
The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns
Zachary Papper and Dillon O'Callaghan carry Tatiana Moskalenko, who plays Tanya, as she sings "Does Your Mother Know" in The Out-of-Door Academy production of "Mamma Mia!"
  • April 27, 2026
'Mamma Mia!' graces the stage at The Out-of-Door Academy
Emma Mandzick, a senior at Lakewood Ranch High School, plays Elsa and also choreographed the whole show for "Frozen."
  • April 26, 2026
'Frozen' a red-hot hit at Lakewood Ranch High School

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free