Unlocking Transformation

There’s something mysterious about a school locker. At first glance, it appears to be just a tall metal box—functional, impersonal, and easily overlooked. But what if it could become a gallery space, a personal archive, or a museum of the self?

For the past few years, Iʼve asked the graduating fifth graders to explore that idea through The Locker Project, an artistic rite of passage in which students turn their lockers into miniature museums to celebrate their creative identities and growth throughout elementary school.

I have watched these students evolve from imaginative kindergartners experimenting with color and form into confident young artists discovering their unique point of view. The Locker Project offers them the opportunity to reflect on that journey and act as curators of their own creative narratives.

Project Overview
The process begins with studentsʼ digital portfolios, which I build and maintain throughout their elementary years. Yes, it’s a labor of love…and coffee. For this project, students select their favorite works, print miniature versions, and frame them using simple materials like card stock or mat board. These artworks are installed along the interior walls of their lockers, transforming the space into a mini gallery.

The next step adds a three-dimensional layer. Students select personal objects from home that reflect who they are outside the art room—items that hold meaning and tell part of their story. They may also create original sculptures or three-dimensional artworks to add to their locker museum. Some students bring a sketchbook or a sports artifact, while others include small collections or family mementos. These objects function like sculptures or installations, bringing depth and individuality to each locker museum.

These transformed lockers are displayed during our annual art show, turning the school hallway into a vibrant gallery that celebrates each student’s creative journey.

Another Layer to Art
As a structure, the locker becomes symbolic. Lockers are typically private, closed spaces. In this project, I ask students to open them up and allow others to see what is usually hidden. In doing so, they engage in a form of visual storytelling—making the invisible visible and honoring the layers of their own identities.

The result is a collection of deeply personal and varied exhibitions. Each locker tells a unique story, not only of artistic development but of self-awareness, cultural background, and personal growth.

Why It Works
This project resonates with both students and educators because it supports multiple pedagogical goals and standards:

Reflective: Students critically examine their own growth over time.
Personal: Each project is rooted in identity and lived experience.
Manageable: Most materials are pulled from existing portfolios and simple supplies.
Display-worthy: It provides an engaging and meaningful exhibition format.

More broadly, this project promotes curatorial thinking, helping students consider their audience and how the selection and presentation of work affect meaning, and invites them to see their own narratives as worthy of public display. It also provides them with a sense of closure and celebration at the end of their elementary journey.

Want to Try It?
This project requires minimal materials and is adaptable to most classrooms. Digital portfolios (such as Google Slides or Drive) are helpful but not necessary; students can bring small versions of recent artwork or select pieces from past projects or sketchbooks.

For display, miniature frames made from cardstock or mat board and adhesive tape work well.

Since all artwork is created in the classroom, locker installation is brief and fits within regular class time. Classroom discussions about identity, storytelling, and presentation support students’ critical thinking and reflection about their work.

Final Thought
Transformation in art does not always require new materials or techniques. Sometimes, it simply involves re-seeing the familiar. When a student opens a locker door and finds a curated story inside, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the personal narrative becomes connective and powerful.