Pre-schoolers learn art of intricate mural making

By TOM STANKARD

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Ironwood -To encourage a community atmosphere, artist Connie Greany and students at All Saints Catholic Academy started making a mural Monday.

As a school project, children made tiles and Greany helped the students place them on an outline of the mural she drew. Each tile was placed according to an indication number and a letter.

By collaborating and working together, Greany said students were part of a community. Greany said she assigned groups to make tiles for different sections of the mural. Children left their mark on their tiles by including their name and a design on them. Greany said there are also tiles with saint names and scripture on them.

Greany said each tile the children made contributes toward the end result.

"The small pieces work together to make a mural," she said.

When it's done, Greany said the mural will look like a mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary extending her hands out over the community.

When choosing the design, Greany said she looked at "lots of pictures" of Mary and chose one that symbolizes Lake Superior that includes Mary wearing a dress that looks like "water and sails."

The tiles come in different shapes and colors. Greany said the mural is encompassed by the school's name and the parish's name, Our Lady of Peace. Below the parish's name, there are 12 stars, which Greany said represent the 12 apostles.

Greany said the red tiles represent the blood of Christ. The blue tiles represent water. The gold tiles represent the power of God and the white tiles represent purity.

Looking at the mural, Tammie Ruby, school secretary, said the mural shows how the children worked well together and that art is important for children because it's "hands-on."

After the mural is completed, Ruby said the mural will unveiled during Catholic Schools Week in February.