Hancock Students Turn Shop Into Art

With the holidays right around the corner, Hancock middle and high school students are keeping busy and preparing to supply local retailers with gift ideas that’s an Upper Peninsula favorite.

Gary Mishica’s Industrial Arts students are busy making things that will soon make their way to area gift shops, then under the Christmas tree, and eventually on walls and fireplaces of Michigan residents and enthusiasts.

“We sell Copper art,” said Mishica, describing the class’s most popular item—a home decor piece made of copper, by students, in the shape of the Upper Peninsula that hangs on a wall.

Mishica said, “We have wooden U.P.’s, copper U.P.’s, steel U.P.’s of five different sizes that people can purchase, give them out as gifts. The money that we raise is all used to keep our program running. The community has really shown their appreciation for our quality of our work and they are just super supportive to our program.”

Mishica says the art sale generates funding that purchases machinery and tools and also allows for the purchase of raw materials at bulk pricing, ultimately reducing the costs to students.

For those looking to view or purchase the artwork, it can be found locally at the Quincy gift shop, Surplus outlet, Campioni’s True Value in Calumet and from Hancock Middle School.