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Art exchange Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Cascade Christian Elementary School fifth-grader Teddy Sayre and his classmates will send their self-portraits to elementary school students in Alba, Italy, Medford's sister city. Students hope to forge a connection with kids in Medford's sister city By MELISSA MARTIN Mail Tribune Teddy Sayre likes playing his trumpet in the fifth-grade band, throwing football during recess with his friends and looking for the constellation Orion in the night sky. The 10-year-old sketched these things in a self-portrait he created last week for Scuola Elementare G. Rodani in Alba, Italy. "And I drew this flag because I love America," he added. Teddy's art is one of 22 pieces that will be mailed across the globe to Alba, Medford's sister city for the past four decades. It's part of an ongoing art exchange started by Grace Christian School art specialist Susan Whipple. The colorful felt marker pictures will be displayed this month at Medford City Hall before they are shipped overseas. Each portrait has a red ribbon running through it; when the pictures are lined up, the ribbons connect. "My best friend taught me how to speak pig Latin," Marc McComas wrote at the bottom of his picture. Next to his face, he sketched a trumpet, computer and a basketball, some of his favorite things. There's a picture of pizza and a cat in Jennie Dicus' drawing. She looks forward to having an Alba e-mail pal - the next phase of the art exchange - so she can learn more about life in Italy. "I'm sure they'll know what pizza is but I'm not sure they'll be able to pronounce my cat's name," Jennie said. "Pokie is short for Pocahontas." Most students drew musical instruments because this is their first year in band and their classroom teacher, Mae Heidi, is also their band director. A flute, soccer ball, tetherball and flowers decorate Jessica Duggan's picture. "I also love to read," Jessica wrote below her freckle-faced portrait. "I love to smell flowers. I love the Lord most of all." The Alba art exchange started with Whipple entering her students' work in a Christmas art festival sponsored by an Italian radio station. In September, Medford Mayor Lindsay Berryman presented a third-grader's framed drawing during Alba's 71st Fiera Del Tartufo D'Alba, a truffle and wine festival. But this time, 22 colorful pictures connected by a red ribbon will cross the continents. "I think they will like it because they will probably have the same interests as us," said Stephen Lankford, who drew a trumpet, a basketball and a football. He also sketched a fork and spoon to show his love for Italian food. "I hope they send a note back." Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.