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Mosaic Garden Stones

Today our children had an amazing opportunity to work with Glen Anderson, a local artist specializing in mosaics. You can see his work at http://www.mosaicplanet.net. I met Glen last year at Urban Weavers Studio in Strathcona. I asked him many, many questions about mosaics, all of which he patiently answered with expertise. I was gearing up for an art project in our preschool class so I really wanted to get any pointers I could from him. The plan was to have our students make mosaic tiles to place along our fence at the garden plot at Terra Nova Farm. They worked out very well, thanks to Glen's great advice and it was a beautiful moment when child and parent hung the stones at the farm on our last day of school. It was a moment of great pride for all of us. The garden that they cared for with their own hands- tended to its needs in sunshine and in rain. They will always remain part of that space, that land and their stone will remind them of this connection. Even though they turned out absolutely lovely, I knew I wanted Glen to work directly with the students and share his knowledge with them first hand.

One year later... same project but this time with Glen guiding the children. Prior to his visit we told the children that a local artist would be coming to work with them and make their special piece. Several emails and phone calls later, Glen arrived with lots of interesting tile pieces, stones, and glass pieces.

Glen introduced himself and the children were immediately intrigued by this interesting man. He spoke about living on the water, his cats, his art and the project. They listened attentively, soaking in this new person and his energy. I loved the way he chatted with them... not to them but really with them.

The children choose their pieces, played with different designs and then worked with intent on their pieces. They were interested in the process- first laying the sand, then putting the pieces down (not too shallow, not too deep) then carefully putting it on the balcony where it waited to get filled with grout. And now we wait...one whole week...seven sleeps, until we can take them out of their molds and see how they turned out.









Last step...imprinting their names.. this is one example.


Although the project itself worked out very well, I really was most interested in the relationship they had with Glen. A brief and fleeting relationship but one that will become a small piece of who they are to become. By exposing our children to new people and new places we are offering them a gift. A gift of expanding their current knowledge base and extending their comfort zone. Each child will take something different from Glen. One mother reported to me that her son was most impressed by Glen's house boat and decided he, too, wants to live on the water. Other children might be interested in his cat story. Or his mosaics ( he showed a picture on his phone). Or the story he told about filming a movie in his house. Or the way he patiently taught them how to do the project. Each child took something away with them that day. I truly believe that each interaction we have in life has the potential to alter or change a small part of us. Or maybe a big part of us.

Think back on your day. Did someone or something affect you in a new way? As we shuffle around in our busy lives, it is hard to notice these moments, these opportunities. But I urge you to try to see them, feel them, hear them and let yourself be moved by them. This is true living. It takes mindful practice to live this way. I am trying, really hard. Try with me?

Emily

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