Amos Hummell teaches the fine art of being an artist

It's a busy afternoon in Randalyn Clabaugh's advanced sculpture class at Hilton Head Island High School.

Hammers thud. Drills buzz.

And Amos sings.

"MacArthur Park is melting in the dark ... all the sweet green icing flowing down," artist Amos Hummell laughs. "That really was the stupidest song."

Hummell's tune was inspired by sophomore Hayley Edwards' project: a three-tiered "cake" made out of modified hat boxes. Edwards' piece, along with the folk art creations of the other 13 students, will be on display Saturday during a gallery opening at Hummell's new Bluffton studio, now located at Carson Cottage on Calhoun Street, and will remain there through February.

Hummell, who returned to Bluffton in October after spending a year working at his Hilton Head home, now is assisting the budding artists as part of the Island School Council for the Arts' Artists in Education program, which pays to bring professional artists into the classroom for educational and creative purposes.

"I think it's (the students') chance to actually work with a real artist. How do they talk? How do they act? It gives them a chance to ask questions," Hummell said.

Questions aren't in short supply in the classroom. One student needs help bending wire, so Hummell grabs a jug of paint and wraps the wire around the top. Sophomore Nicky King asks Hummell what to do about some glue showing through the beads on her Buddha-inspired piece.

"We can call that one of two things," Hummell says. "A disaster or a creative opportunity -- that means the art angel meant for that to happen."

Nicky went with creative opportunity.

This is the kind of interaction teacher Clabaugh wants for her students.

"They know what I'm going to expect from them, but this is a whole new person who has walked in," said Clabaugh, who has taught art for 30 years. "(Hummell) is encouraging them in a slightly different way. Working with someone else is a benefit in seeing how other artists can perceive and (create) different solutions to a problem."

Hummell's point of view is certainly unique. The flamboyant artist is known for his trash-to-treasure 3-D creations. Plastic vegetable trays, old CDs and forgotten furniture are just a few of his mediums.

"He teaches you how to use stuff you wouldn't imagine," senior Bianka Najera said of Hummell's teachings. "You don't really have to spend money on (supplies). You can make something out of nothing.

"He's really funny," she added.

After each bottle cap, feather and scrap of wood is secured, the students will get the chance to experience something few amateur artists ever will: a gallery opening. The high schoolers have been planning the details of the event, from their individual biographies to who's bringing what for the hors d'oeuvres.

"It's a real important experience to understand what a gallery opening feels like," Hummell said. "It's thrilling, actually."

For the students, it's a chance to see their artwork as more than a homework assignment, and maybe make a few bucks, too.

"I'm really excited for the gallery (opening). I want to see if people would actually buy my artwork, and see how much they'd pay for it," creative opportunist Nicky said.

Senior Brandon DeLoach took a more introspective outlook.

"If you really want to follow art, it's your first step," DeLoach said. "It's a real big boost of confidence when other people come out and see your artwork."