Mosaic Index

West Branch Elementary

In February 2002, West Branch Elementary School hosted an Artist-In-Residence (sponsored by Galaxy: The Arts In Education Program of CIU 10, partially funded by the PA Council on the Arts) named Mary Galligan, a local artist and educator. Ms. Galligan led our sixth-grade students through the process of creating a mosaic designed to be a permanent fixture to liven our school environment.

We are a model school for our state due to the effectiveness of our reading program, and as such, our principle, Mr. Ronald J. Guth, decided that the theme of the piece should deal with children's literature. It was settled on that the mosaic would take the form of a portrait gallery featuring characters from kid's books. A survey of teachers in each grade level was taken to determine which books were most influential and popular with students in their classes, and all of the sixth-grade students voted for their favorites from the list that was accumulated. The entire sixth-grade class reviewed the books chosen, and did sketches of scenes from the various works for consideration.

From these, a core group of students from each sixth-grade classroom drew final compositions. Working on top of drawings the actual size of each separate image, the core group sculpted the main figures and other key objects from ceramic clay. These were then bisque fired, glazed, and glaze fired. After scoring the wall with nails, the ceramic parts were cemented in place. Bits of polished glass and tile, along with seashells, among other various items, were also added. Backgrounds and decorative frames were painted in using acrylics.

As site coordinator, I can attest to the fine rapport Mary Galligan demonstrated with our students, and her pleasant, easy-going manner and enthusiasm made her stay with us an enjoyable experience for all.

Click here for larger detail images of each mosaic portrait:

*MOSAIC PAGE #1
*MOSAIC PAGE #2
*MOSAIC PAGE #3