At the Lepel Regional Museum of Local Lore, an exhibition of creative decorative compositions titled "A Smile Will Brighten Everything" is open.

Original handmade works were presented by Larisa Stankevich, a teacher of fine arts at the State Educational Institution "I.M. Erashov Gymnasium of Lepel", and her mentees – participants of the "Domovyata" (Little House Spirits) clay modelling workshop.

Scrapbooking, assemblage, collage – for some, these are completely unfamiliar words, but for the subject of our article, this is an entire world, encompassing a variety of materials, a flow of unpredictable creative ideas, and, as a result, an abundance of crafts, unique souvenirs, and useful items.

As you take your first steps into the exhibition hall, you realise that with the appearance of the amazing works created by Larisa Leonidovna's hands, this place seems to have filled with life, the warmth of hands, and soulfulness. This is indeed true. After all, each work presented at the exhibition is a separate story, which is a pleasure to "read".

Many guests came to the local history museum to appreciate the creative richness of Larisa Stankevich and her students – these were Larisa Leonidovna's colleagues and friends, teachers from other educational and cultural institutions, and her close ones. Contemplating the presented beauty, the guests paused at each exhibit, eagerly absorbing their creative power and energy.

The subject of our article hails from the village of Zaglinniki, Lepel District. The future teacher received her primary and secondary education at the Koltovskaya 8-year school in our district, as well as at the Kashchinskaya school in Chashniki District. Subsequently, the young woman enrolled in the Vitebsk State Pedagogical Institute named after S.M. Kirov, where she graduated with a degree in "Teacher of Technical Drawing, Labour, and Fine Arts".

Larisa Leonidovna's first place of work was the Lepel Boarding School, where the young teacher worked for 10 years. In subsequent years, the place of work for our talented compatriot was the I.M. Erashov Gymnasium of Lepel. From September 1st of this year, Larisa Leonidovna is leaving the institution and retiring. The subject of our article has 46 years of pedagogical experience behind her.

It should be noted that Larisa Leonidovna is not the only teacher in her family. Her parents, Leonid and

The Pahomov Family. The daughter of Larisa Leonidovna, Ekaterina Pristavko, soon joined the family dynasty of educators. The youngest educator in the family will soon be the granddaughter of the publication's heroine, Valeria. The girl will be a fifth-generation teacher. On the opening day of the exhibition, her relatives were by her side.

-- In my creative works, I use many decorative art techniques. I am fond of collages made from family photographs. There are also many compositions made using volumetric details or whole objects. In the decoupage technique, I decorate antique and modern household items. Ceramics, cut-outs (vytinanka), appliqué from various materials, birch bark painting, ikebana, sewing, and much more are my favorite areas in creativity, -- said Larisa Leonidovna.

The interlocutor admitted that all the works presented at the exhibition decorate her apartment and her children's apartments. Many compositions also adorn the walls of her native gymnasium. The woman loves to collect natural materials, household and industrial "junk," to which she gives a second chance at life, using them for her creations.

-- Let there be less trash on the planet and more beauty. Imagination is not born out of thin air. It needs something to push off from. Thomas Edison also thought this way: "To invent, you need a good imagination and a lot of junk," -- emphasized the author of the works.

As the exhibition guests admitted, the works are mesmerizing with their beauty and unpredictability. Some educators who have already appreciated the exhibition have also found something unusual and amazing in Larisa Leonidovna's creativity for themselves. No one could leave indifferent. We, in turn, urge the residents of Lepel to also visit the district local history museum and get aesthetic pleasure from what they see.