Students Collaborate on Colorful Kusama-Inspired Sculpture Installation

MOMS Bring Yayoi Kusama’s Vision to Life in Collaborative Sculpture Installation

March 2026

The Mount Olive Middle School Media Center has been transformed into a vibrant display of color and creativity thanks to a collaborative art installation inspired by world-renowned artist Yayoi Kusama.

Seventh grade students in Mrs. Carubia’s and Mrs. D’Andrea’s sculpture classes recently completed a large-scale art project that reflects Kusama’s unique artistic vision. The students first constructed oversized sculptural forms designed to represent the artist’s imaginative “inner world.” Once the structures were completed, students from across the school joined in to help paint them in Kusama’s signature style of bright colors and bold polka dots. In total, more than 100 Mount Olive Middle School students contributed to the design and painting of the installation.

 

Kusama, a Japanese contemporary artist, is known around the world for her immersive installations filled with repeating patterns, especially polka dots. Her artwork often reflects themes of infinity, imagination, and personal expression. Many of her most famous exhibits invite viewers to step into colorful environments that blur the line between art and experience.

Inspired by this approach, Mount Olive’s students designed their sculptures to feel playful, expressive, and larger than life. The final installation now sits at the center of the school’s Media Center, where students and staff can experience the artwork throughout the day.

“This project was about more than just sculpture,” said Mrs. Carubia. “We wanted students to understand how artists can express emotions and ideas through patterns, color, and scale. Kusama’s work is bold and imaginative, and the students really embraced that spirit.”

Mrs. D’Andrea noted that the collaborative aspect of the project made it especially meaningful. “Art can bring people together,” she said. “It was exciting to see students from different grades come together to contribute their own polka dots and make the installation feel like a true community artwork.”

Students also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in such a large creative project.

“It was really fun to work on something that everyone in the school helped create,” said eighth grader Liz Bahr. “When you walk into the Media Center now, you immediately see all the colors and dots, and it makes the space feel fun and exciting.  It's cool to see the final product.”

The installation now stands as a bright and imaginative centerpiece in the Media Center, celebrating both the influence of Yayoi Kusama and the creativity of Mount Olive Middle School students.