The second grade students at New Albany Elementary School have embarked on a very special art project. They are designing and constructing a 30’x9’ glass mosaic wall for New Albany Elementary School.  The mosaic has been assembled in the art room during the student’s art period in 3’X5’ panels and is scheduled to be installed by professionals from Ascalon Studios, the art studio that has assisted with this project from conception, parent volunteers and high school students in the spring of  2006. This project is the creation of art teacher Colleen DePietro after writing and receiving a grant from the Cinnaminson Education Foundation.

The student’s journey began by designing what the large wall would look like. The students talked about including butterflies, real and imaginary, plants, flowers and other insects and animals in the design for the wall. Each second grade student was then required to create a colored sketch of what they wanted the Mosaic wall to look like. Their final designs were then voted on by the teachers and staff at New Albany Elementary School and 9 pictures were selected to be part of the final mosaic design.  

Starting in January of 2005 the second graders began the tiling process. This included dividing the design onto the 3’x5’ panels of  cement backer board, prepping the board for installation and then tiling the thousands of small 3/4” glass tiles onto the design. Many parents have come into the classroom to volunteer and assist in the tiling process. The second grade class completed the first half of the 30’ wall by the end of their school year in June.

This years second grade class now has been trained and is in the process of finishing the final 15 feet to complete the mosaic. Mrs. DePietro anticipates the mosaic to be ready for installation this up coming spring. The mosaic is going to be installed by the main entrance of New Albany Elementary School. Originally it was supposed to be installed in New Albany’s Butterfly Courtyard but due to recent vandalism in the courtyard it was decided the mosaic would be safer and enjoyed by more, at the front of the school.

Many wonder why take on such a large and involved project, and Mrs. DePietro’s only answer is for the students.

Nothing is more valuable than teaching our students about teamwork and taking pride in themselves and what they are capable of. “My father taught me that nothing is impossible if you set your  mind to it and work hard at it,” and that is what I hope my students walk away with when they view their mosaic at New Albany School for years to come.