For the Roanoke Rapids High School National Art Honor Society, it was a community service project the students loved participating in, recreating the works of four masters for display at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center.

Part of the honor society requirements, school art instructor Aimee Bridges said, is 25 service hours.

The project began last year and some of those who worked on the project have graduated. Bridges said.

The students, who must carry a 3.5 art GPA and 3.0 overall GPA, decided to tackle recreating the works of Dali, Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet. The acrylic on canvas paintings were framed by the school's wood-working students, Mayor Emery Doughtie noted in a proclamation recognizing the works.

“I think the students did a wonderful job,” Bridges said. “They worked way over 25 hours. I'm so happy they're getting this recognition.”

Bridges said the students decided to do the project from a cultural perspective.

“It's always great to see young people involved,” Doughtie told the students after reading the proclamation. “This building leaves a lot to be desired (from a visual perspective). You've done a lot to make it feel warmer when you put a touch like this. It says a lot about young people who will be leaders of the future.”

“It was pretty awesome recreating the works of great artists,” said Nicholas Buffaloe, president of the art honor society.

For the most part, the students stuck to the original work but added their own touches here and there, said Tammy Lamm, now a college student.

The honor society is now working on a community service project for Manning Elementary School, which involves an educational theme, said student Allison Mann.

Said the proclamation, “The city of Roanoke Rapids is fortunate to have such talented young people in our community.”