In the days following Mardi Gras, the streets and trees along parade routes are typically littered with beads and pieces of plastic trinkets. The beads lucky enough to be caught are usually proudly worn for a night or two then stored in the attic until the next carnival season. But an intermediate sculpture class at the University has found a way to turn this Mardi Gras mess into a masterpiece.While walking through the sculpture garden, tiny sparkling spheres draw the eyes of students upward to the Mardi Gras moss that covers two of the magnolia trees.On the first day of the spring semester Loren Schwerd’s intermediate sculpture class was asked to brainstorm ideas to potentially revamp the University’s sculpture garden. There was one requirement — Mardi Gras beads must be incorporated. The class split up into pairs to sketch ideas and then present their work. After much discussion, the design of Matt Begneaud, sculpture sophomore, was chosen. He envisioned covering the trees with Spanish moss made of Mardi Gras beads. The deadline for the project was the Monday before the Mardi Gras break.Schwerd explained that assignment was designed to teach the students how to work together. Some projects are too large for one artist to do alone, so this collaborative project would prepare them for future endeavors.The students agreed there were moments of mutiny when no one seemed to be able to see eye to eye. Richard Simmons, sculpture junior, explained that reaching decisions was no easy task and that most days they wanted to give up the reins.The students spent an entire class sorting a pile of beads almost six-feet-tall by four-feet-wide into color-coordinated piles. The beads were donated to Schwerd for a previous project. They then began molding chicken wire and stringing the beads into the designs.The students each spent about eight out-of-class hours working on the project and five hours hanging the art in the trees on Sunday.All the sculptors complained of chicken wire injuries and dirty beads, but the group thought it was all worth it to finally see their project come together. “My hands will never be the same,” said Martha Landry, studio art and textiles, apparel and merchandising sophomore.Simmons explained that the beads did not allow for a full color palette and not being able to work with orange or other various shades made it difficult to blend the colors. Purple, green and gold dominated their options.Shrewd explained that she is aware of how protective the arborists are of the oak trees. Knowing this, the class designated the magnolia trees as the easel for their artwork.”It’s not exactly how I envisioned it,” Begneaud said. “But I think it turned out well.”There is not a set date on when the Mardi Gras moss will be taken down.—Contact Lindsay Nunez [email protected]