Getting artsy with the alphabet.

A formerly dark corner of our school's entry plaza has been illuminated by a sparkling mosaic mural. Third, fourth, and fifth graders worked in small groups to form the letters of the alphabet on 12" x 15" (30.5 x 38 cm) panels of cement board. The letters were shaped with rows of flat-backed glass "marble gems." Around and within the letters are ceramic images of animals whose names start with each letter. The surrounding spaces are filled in with vitreous glass tiles.

We call the mural Love and Joy About Letters, after the title of Ben Shahn's autobiography, because so many of us have fallen in love with the designs of letters as a small child as Shahn described in his book. A title panel, double the width of the others, fills out the space of our 6 x 8' (2 x 2.5 m) gold-framed mural. Installed next to the front doors of our school, the mural presents the symbolic keys to the building.

Tile vs. Paper Mosaics

Elementary art programs often include paper mosaic activities but these are usually collage exercises. Working with glass and ceramic tesserae (tiles) is a completely different experience. The tactile and reflective properties of the tesserae are immensely appealing. Arranging them invites exploration of concepts of color, line, shape, texture, pattern, rhythm, movement, contrast, and composition. You may think, "Wow, that's a lot to cram in," but "Wow!" is exactly the response of students when they view their mosaic productions and articulate all they learned in creating them. And cramming in is exactly the production process, as the tesserae are glued piece by piece to fill a given space.

Components of the Mural

For our mural, students agreed that each letter would be formed by three rows of the flat-backed marbles. They outlined each block letter formed in this way with smaller marbles of a contrasting color. Ceramic animals for each letter were shaped from slabs of clay, bisque fired, and then glazed. Younger students used cookie cutters for some of the animal shapes. Plastic toy animals also contributed to the mural.

Design

As small groups worked on each letter panel at the mosaic center in our artroom, many discussions about color choices, animal placement, and background patterns took place. The animals could overlap the letter design, but the letter had to be legible. Background pieces could have rhythmically flowing patterns, but these should not overwhelm the letter patterns. They should provide a contrast so that the letter stands out in color and texture.

Math Connections

Arranging the tiles to correspond to drawings on graph paper helped students realize that all patterns are based on underlying grids. Many math concepts relating to measurement, surface area, perimeter, and proportion were applied as the mural was created, including estimates of the number of half-inch tiles of each color needed to fill specific areas. Tessellations are now studied in elementary math. They derive their name from the tesserae used for tiling patterns. It was the beautiful mosaic patterns of Islamic architecture that so inspired the work of M.C. Escher.

Construction

Four students worked on each panel, gluing the tesserae in place according to the planned design. A nontoxic, PVA glue was used for gluing the tesserae to the cement board panels. By placing the tesserae as closely as possible, a minimum of grouting was necessary. To add color, acrylic paints were stirred into premixed, sanded grout. Students wore rubber gloves to work the grout into the spaces and then wiped the excess off the surfaces with wet sponges. (Do not pour grout residue down the sink!) Many mosaic artists prefer to align tesserae closely and not use grout at all.

Dedication

Formal dedication ceremonies were held to present our mural to the community. Students explained their techniques for making the mural and answered many questions about its production. Alphabet songs were sung and poems about the represented animals recited. Local newspapers proclaimed "Students spell out their creativity" and "Whetstone Elementary School gets artsy with alphabet."

Because mosaics are assembled bit by bit, their production seems less threatening than other art forms where a blank canvas can be intimidating. Small tiles that glitter and gleam, seashells, shiny river stones, beach glass, and pebbles--all these are captivating supplies that young children find irresistible.

There is a tremendous sense of achievement when students combine efforts to create lasting contributions to their school. And mosaics are durable; touching is welcomed! Our mural is permanently installed on an exterior wall of the school. It has withstood the elements and the gleeful stroking of many hands. All the mosaics at out school have become gathering places for the discussion of art.

Resource

King, Sonia. Mosaic Techniques & Traditions, Projects & Designs from Around the World, NY: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2003.

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students use different media, techniques, and processes to communicate ideas, experiences, and stories.

WEB LINK

M.C. Escher: The Official Website, www.mcescher.com

Ruth Straus Gainer is an art teacher at Whetstone Elementary School in Gaithesburg, Maryland and coauthor with Elaine Pear Cohen of Art, Another Language for Learning. Funds for the project were provided by the Whetstone Elementary School PTA and the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation. The author is grateful to Bill Mills for his photographs.