Inspired by art and a beloved teacher’s passion for creativity, students at Hoxsie Elementary turned the all-purpose room into fashion runway last week. As younger students applauded, the school’s fifth graders strutted their stuff to show off t-shirts they had designed and painted based on the works of great artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Michelangelo and more.

“Before we start the fashion show, I would like to tell you about the person who first thought of the fashion show,” Principal Gary McCoombs told the crowd gathered in the large room that serves as the school’s cafeteria, gymnasium and auditorium. “Her name is Kim Markarian (and) Mrs. Markarian was an amazing art teacher here at Hoxsie for many years.”

In addition to being an artist and art teacher, Kim Markarian was former model, fashion announcer and buyer for retail clothing stores. She passed away in September 2021 at the age of 61 after battling cancer for three years. Her smile, enthusiasm, and love for her students made her part of the fiber of the Hoxsie School community, and McCoombs stressed that she will never be forgotten. “Besides an amazing art teacher, she was an amazing wife, mother, and friend,” McCoombs said before the start of Thursday’s fashion show. “(Her) spirit lives on here at Hoxsie school and it always will.”

A former ‘Mrs. R.I.’ beauty pageant winner, Kim Markarian started the art-inspired fashion show at the school as well as other special events intended to make art accessible and fun for students and parents alike. In 2012, she was named art teacher of the year in Rhode Island.

Her husband, Robert, and two daughters, Christin and Ali, were in the audience Thursday, enthusiastically applauding as the students strode and twirled across the floor to display their art-inspired creations. Also present was Lisa Hainse, Executive Director of the Tomorrow Fund, which supports children with cancer. Family members explained that the cause is very special to them since Ali fought her own battle with cancer when she was young. Robert Markarian has served as board president of the charity and the family continues to work to support it.

Kim Markarian made such an impact on students and colleagues alike, that less than a year after her death, the entire school worked to create the colorful, multi-dimensional mural that covers the wall near the school’s front office. It features tiles made by students and swirling illustrations that highlight things that were near and dear to her, including the family’s beloved Labradoodle, “Rocky.” The dog was named after the famous movie boxer portrayed by Sylvester Stallone because of the courage and strength with which Kim Markarian fought her illness, family members said.

The bottom of the mural features a quote from artist Pablo Picasso: “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” After the fashion show ended, Robert Markarian thanked the students and later stood by the mural, shaking hands with some youngsters and encouraging them to continue their creative work.

“She would have loved this,” he said. “She would have had a big smile, given the kids ‘high fives,’ and told them, ‘You did a great job.’ ”