Thursday, October 1, 2026
Sixth graders Rayhan Poyyathuruthy, Justin Sabesan and Andrew Spinelli at John Street School recently unveiled a large-scale Zentangle artwork now displayed in the school’s first-level hallway.
What began as a classroom assignment evolved into an ambitious collaborative project that the students pursued with focus and determination. After studying black-and-white line designs with art teacher Christine Randazzo, the trio was inspired to expand on techniques they previously explored.
Zentangle art is a methodical approach to creating intricate black-and-white images using repetitive patterns known as tangles. The students were introduced to the style last year in Randazzo’s class, when they worked on a smaller Zentangle project during homeroom.
Taking that encouragement to heart, the students committed to a larger, more detailed piece this school year. Using marker and yarn, they carefully constructed an intricate composition, incorporating their names into the design and embedding subtle details throughout the artwork.
The trio met daily during recess for approximately two months to complete the project. Despite their busy sixth-grade schedules, they remained dedicated to seeing the piece through to completion.
“As intricate as the art design is, they remained focused to get the finished product,” Randazzo said of her students’ commitment.
Throughout the process, the students brainstormed and sketched ideas on scrap paper before deciding how each section would fit into the overall composition. Randazzo explained that they planned their layouts in advance, determining what would be placed where before committing ink and yarn to the final surface.
One particularly memorable moment came when the students began attaching yarn to the design. Applying glue precisely to thin strands required patience and steady hands.
At one point near the end of the project, the trio faced a creative challenge when they nearly ran out of new pattern ideas. Rather than rush or repeat earlier work, they collaborated to develop fresh designs and complete the piece thoughtfully.
The students said that while they see room for improvement in their work, the experience helped them grow as artists and improve their drawing skills overall.
Randazzo praised their maturity and perseverance, noting that intricate work requires concentration and can be difficult to tackle without the right mindset.
“At that age they are amazing,” Randazzo said. “I can’t brag about them enough.”
In recognition of their dedication and creativity, Randazzo framed the finished artwork. Now prominently displayed in the first-level hallway, the piece stands as a testament to collaboration, patience and artistic growth.
Although the project has only just been completed, the students are already looking ahead. Andrew has suggested creating a giant paper airplane and covering it with Zentangle designs for their next endeavor — a sign that their creativity continues to take flight.
