News and information for staff members and the Madison community
Vol. II No. 4 - January 29, 2007
The Orchard Ridge Story Wall began as a way to build student, family and staff ownership along with a sense of community schoolwide. The final piece measures 34 by 6 feet. The best way to view the ORE story wall is in person. So come on by!
Every student made at least one hand built six-inch tile and glazed at least one bisque fired 4 or 6 inch tile. Some students glazed 6 or 7 tiles, all of which were used as filler in undulating rows between the hand built tiles, which form the focus of the mosaic. Staff participated, too, with some adults choosing to glaze a prefired tile and some to create their own.
Kate Olsen, Orchard Ridge art teacher, designed the final product and assembled the mosaic with a crew of volunteers. Every student in ORE helped to adhere the tiles to the wall. Many parents volunteered on the project, and quite a few students came into the building on weekends and in the summer to help adhere and grout the mosaic. A few former ORE students donated time as well!
The project was made possible by the generosity, creativity and energy of Ciaria Tile Studios and the support of the ORE Parent Teachers Organization. Troy and Sarah Guglielmina of Ciaria Tile donated half of the glaze, the firing process, and a lot of filler tiles and shards. The PTO at Orchard Ridge Elementary School funded the installation and some of the supplies for the project. Barbara Dorn, the ORE principal, was able to tap into some grants that rounded out the financial support.
Creating the all-school mosaic was a wonderful community-building project. The school feels different now that they have a story wall!
Mural Slide Show
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Last Updated: Fri Feb 16 14:37:25 2007
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