Art across the Atlantic Published March 23, 2012 By Staff Sgt. David Dobrydney 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE FELTWELL, England -- Students at Lakenheath Middle School visited the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. March 23, 2012 without even having to leave their classroom. The school hosted a teleconference with the museum to discuss "found object" art. Karen Green, LMS art teacher, set up the presentation through a program the Department of Defense Education Activity operates together with the Smithsonian to promote art appreciation among students living overseas who don't have the opportunity to visit American museums. "[I] found that fitting art history into every day classroom [activities] didn't always work," said Green, "I thought this would be fun and different and [my students] are certainly aware of 'Skyping;' probably more so than I!" The students spoke with Elizabeth Deines, Smithsonian Institute education analyst, about various art pieces made of objects ranging from bottlecaps and wheels to plastic refuse plucked from beaches. Deines provided background about the artworks and their creators, then asked the students what they thought. "It's always amazing to talk with [students] all over the world," Deines said, adding she was very impressed at the discussion the Lakenheath students provided. "With middle school it can be difficult, but [the students] all shared [their] ideas freely and were very articulate and creative with [their] responses," she added. The students, for their part, were amazed to see artwork that wasn't the usual painting or sculpture. "It's really nice to know there are so many cool pieces of art out there," said Harley Crawford, LMS 7th grade student. Her classmate Richard Greszler said he has been to the Smithsonian museum in person, but the teleconference has given him a new perspective. "I saw the art in a way I never had before," he said. "It's so cool to see it through others' eyes."