The original goal, formed two years ago, was to involve every Lower School student in the creation of a mosaic representation of the Gator, the School mascot. Students began by making small ceramic tiles which they stamped with patterns and glazed various shades of green. These would become the body of the gator. They were fired in batches in the kiln over the course of that first year. Other tiles used for the background, were donated by parents. During year two, when students were finished what they were working on in class, they were allowed to glue the ceramic tiles to panels. As the year progressed more and more tiles were added. The mosaic began to take shape. Six months later, it was ready for the tedious process of grouting. Because of the sharpness of edges, this part of the project was reserved for the adult community.  Fourteen teachers worked in shifts over the course of a ten-hour day to apply grout, and gently brush away the excess, polishing the surface of every single tile.

For the art teachers, Bonnie Goldstein and Kathy Chapman, the unveiling was a gratifying moment. Chapman recalls, “Bonnie and I embraced this project as a personal challenge. The Gator Mosaic became an opportunity for us to strengthen our natural ability to work as a creative team. Together, we planned and coordinated the monumental task of involving every Lower School student, Pre-K through fifth grade [some of whom are now in sixth and seventh grade], in the process of tile-making, glazing, breaking tiles, and fitting every tile into a specific place, as if completing an intricate puzzle.  For two years, each section was a separate work-in-progress, traveling back and forth between our classrooms. It was truly a collaborative effort. The mural surpassed anything we envisioned when this project began.”

It’s estimated that there are 16,000 ceramic tiles and 600 glass stones used in the mosaic. The total size of the Gator mosaic now measures 3’ high by 15’ wide, comparable in length to a real alligator. And unlike a lot of art that you are not supposed to touch, the gator invites small hands to explore its texture and the bit of their own history that is now on display on the walls of the Lower School.