Students from Catskill Central Schools painted not one, but two fantastic cats you’ll notice around town this summer as part of the Heart of Catskill Association’s annual Cat’n Around Catskill.

At Catskill High School, students designed and painted a visually stimulating cat they named “Window Into the Catskills.” “Window” sports a colorful stained glass motif that reveals views from around our area, including scenes from the mountains, river, downtown Catskill, Olana, and Catskill High School (home of the Catskill Cats!). The project was coordinated by CHS art teacher Wendy Doney, who opened up the project to any student who wanted to be a part of it, and over 45 students chose to get involved. The students came up with the idea for their cat, chose its name, and did all the painting afterschool or during lunch or study hall. Tori G’s Pizzeria sponsored Catskill High School’s cat, so you’ll be able to find “Window Into the Catskills” on display outside Tori G’s, located on Rt. 23 not far from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. You can learn more about the CHS project here…

At Catskill Elementary School, the Catskill Teachers Association sponsored its own cat for the students to decorate. CES art teacher Jennifer Allison came up with a design that gave a nod to the school’s mascot (the Catskill Cat, of course) and was something that all the children could play a role in creating. Each student helped stamp colorful paw prints all over the statue by painting a fingertip and leaving his or her imprint on the cat, with big thumbs making up the paw pads and little fingers the toes. More than 700 children lent a hand in painting “Pawprint” the cat!

So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for Catskill Central Schools’ “Window into the Catskills” and “Pawprint” when you’re out enjoying this year’s litter of creative cats on display around Catskill from Memorial Day to mid-September.