By July, hand-painted replicas of submarines will dot the map of southeastern Connecticut, part of a public art project meant to celebrate 100 years of the submarine industry.

Two of those subs will sport handiwork by students at the Saint Bernard School in Uncasville.

Sophie Heublein of Pawcatuck and Vicky Ma, an international student whose host family lives in Plainfield, were both chosen to paint their original designs on two mini fiberglass submarines that will be installed in a public place along the trail of brightly colored statues.

The two students, both rising juniors in the same art class, had just weeks to finalize their designs and submit them.

Last month, Heublein stayed after school to work on her submarine. It was unfinished, covered with pencil sketches and patches of yellow, purple and green paint.

“This is really different from what I usually do,” she said.

Heublein usually makes pencil drawings, so painting on a three dimensional, round submarine was a challenge.

“This is the biggest thing I’ve done,” she said. “It’s really new to me.”

Heublein’s design combines a black-and-white geometric design on the sub, held up by multicolored fiberglass waves.

Right behind it, Ma’s submarine resembles a set of blue and white China porcelain.

“I related it to nature with the trees and flowers,” she said. “I’m really proud of myself. I was not very good at art when I was in China, so for me to be doing this now is pretty unbelievable.”

The two submarines have since been finished and submitted for a coat of clear primer.

They’ll join 18 other painted subs at a ceremony June 24, and all 20 will be showcased in the Groton Fourth of July Parade.

Then they’ll spend the rest of July through October in public locations around in the region.

Heublein, who plans to study art in college, said she has become more familiar with pen drawings and paint while working on her sub.

“I’m really excited about having my name out there as an artist,” she said.

m.shanahan@theday.com