Wall of remembrance.

Our Wall of Remembrance at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School began seven years ago. It was modeled after the tile panels at the U.S. Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.

Seventh-grade students engaged in a nine-week study of the Holocaust and integrated their knowledge of extensive nonfiction reading by designing 6 x 6" (15 x 15 cm) tiles for the school's "Wall." Several of our panels were dedicated to local Holocaust survivors related to students at our school. The first panels were created to remember the more than one million children who were murdered during this horrific time in history.

Through symbolic images of distorted swastikas, yellow stars, flames, and extermination camps, students showed the horror by stressing the theme "Never to Forget." The tiles also symbolize hope with soaring butterflies, blossoming flowers, peace signs, and poetic verses. Currently, the 7 panels of tiles number 437.

Reading

A firm background of knowledge was based on the reading of Smoke and Ashes, Devil's Arithmetic, The Moon Is Down, The Diary of Anne Frank and viewing the video Seared Souls ... South Carolina Voices of the Holocaust (provided by S.C. Educational T.V.).

Drawing

Designs were drawn on a 6 x 6" (15 x 15 cm) piece of paper leaving 1/16" (2 mm) border to allow for grouting around the tiles. Students are asked to depict images and words clearly as they were painted over later using ceramic stains. The back of the completed drawing was covered with a heavy coating of pencil lead to create a faux carbon paper.

Glazing and Transferring

Students covered the bisque tiles with a coat of clear glaze being careful to keep the backs clean of any excess glaze. When the glaze was, the drawing was placed over the tile (image side up) and the traced onto the surface. Using a well-sharpened black underglaze pencil, the images and words are outlined on the tile. Next, ceramic stains, mixed well with water, were used to color in the shapes. We found that the stains streaked when trying to create solid background color. Stains must be continuously stirred, as the pigments settle to the bottom. Smudging and dripping were our biggest problems. When dry, mistakes were lightly scratched away and a dot of glaze applied again. Number two pencil lines do not remain when fired. The tiles were then fired to cone 05.

Installation

Before adhering the tiles to the wall, it was necessary for the painted block to be roughly sanded.

Students arranged the tiles in a pleasing composition, stacking them in reverse order. The class tile, which included the date of graduation, is stacked on the bottom so that it appears in the upper right-hand corner. We began adhering the tiles from the bottom edge of the frame, moving upwards and using tile spacers to allow for grouting around the tiles. The following day, we applied the grout and allowed it to cure.

Dedication

The dedication of the tiles was a very moving service. Students, faculty, and honored guests led in songs, prayers, and poems. Videos of interviews with survivors and also poetry from the book I Never Saw Another Butterfly

set the tone for the procession to our Wall of Remembrance. Candles were lit as we gathered around the tiles to remind us of what we should "never forget." As a member of the South Carolina Holocaust Council reflected upon the impact of the tiles and the dedication ceremony, he wrote, "The quality of life for the individual, the family, and the community is often a number of single things done in a repetitive way. A drink of water, a plate of food, a handshake, a greeting, or a goodbye kiss are engaged in almost thoughtless rituals but the cumulative impact is great." We who stop to ponder the images portrayed by these young students must feel that there is, indeed, hope of ending hatred, discrimination, and violence in the world.

NATIONAL STANDARD

Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.

Clare Scurry is an art instructor at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School in Columbia, South Carolina.