"Oh California!" Mural

I worked with teacher Monica Wilson and the 4th Grade Students at Ulysses S. Grant Elementary School in Long Beach, California to create these eight 2 ft. x 2 ft. panels. The mural depicts icons of California including the missions and a gold rush 49er; the four regions; and the state animal and flower.

In addition to creating a permanent work of art for their school, the students learned facts about their state, mosaic art and the creative process.

With special thanks to Marcia Bennett, Frank Betush, Tom Herzog, Michael Hollis, Jeff Kaufmann, Vickie Leitzke, Kim Lopez, Janine and Matthew Mays, and Marc Mendelson.

Students proudly point out panels they worked on.
Eight of the ideas were then transfered to our mosaic boards in my studio. Teacher Monica Wilson and I prepared all the materials for Art Day. The project was worked on during the school's Art Day, a once a month special event where the students move from classroom to classroom, learning different art forms.
We started by learning a little about mosaic art and the creative process. First project was to sketch ideas for our California theme.
Each class was broken up into groups of five. Every person had an opportunity to work on a panel. Here, teacher Monica Wilson works with the Mission team. Volunteer Marcia Bennett works with students on the California Poppy.
We used broken tile and plates; rocks for the borders; and misc. materials to add details (smalti, mirror, vitreous tile). All materials were donated for this project.
Volunteers Tom Herzog, Marcia Bennett, Kim Lopez, and teacher Monica Wilson at grout day.
Finished California Poppy.
Dawn Mendelson (left) and Monica Wilson (right) with some of the fourth grade students.