Press Releases |
| UNL ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ART SANDRA WILLIAMS
ASSISTS WITH MICKLE MIDDLE SCHOOL MURAL Lincoln, Neb.-Lincoln Public Schools' Mickle Middle School has a new mural created by around 400 students in art teacher Diane Gabelhouse's 6th-8th grade classes at Mickle, with the help of UNL Assistant Professor of Art Sandra Williams and two of her undergraduate students. The mural, entitled "Me, Mickle and My World," depicts a map of the world created with mosaic tiles and ceramic figures of items representing the various countries and cultures of the world (a kangaroo in Australia, Stonehenge in Great Britain, or a colorful fish in the Pacific Ocean, for example).  Mickle eighth graders Elliot Presnell (left) and Courtney Dibbern stand in front of the completed mural, "Me, Mickle and My World." Gabelhouse met Williams in the summer of 2004 when she took her UNL summer sessions workshop, "Teacher as Artist/Artist as Teacher." They discussed the possibility of Williams working with students at Mickle to create a mural. " I had always wanted to do a collaborative mural with the community and with kids just to see what it is like," Williams said. "It's good to shake things up a bit so you don't get burned out on your own work." In November 2004, Williams started coming to Gabelhouse's art classes. She showed the students examples of her work and taught them how to manipulate clay to make creatures. '' The sixth grade students worked on the sea creatures featured on the mural. The seventh and eighth grade students worked on architectural structures and animals (such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Big Ben). '''''' Gabelhouse said students did mini-research on the various countries around the world. Each student selected his/her own country based on their heritage or some place they wanted to travel to. "After we chose what country we wanted to do, we submitted a sketch of what object we wanted to create and got it approved," said Courtney Dibbern, an eighth grader at Mickle who created a Leprechaun for Ireland. ''' "It took us a while to figure out what to do, but I'm proud to see my work on the wall," said Mickle eighth grader Elliot Presnell, who created Stonehenge for Great Britain. ''  BFA senior Ananda Walden (far right) works to assemble the mural at Mickle Middle School in Lincoln. In May, Williams, with the help of two UNL UCARE (Undergraduate Creative Activities & Research Experiences) students, Ben Kamprath and Ananda Walden, began assembling the piece on a board and installing it at the school in the main hallway near the school's main office. Gabelhouse completed additional grouting this summer. ''' "The students got a lot of pleasure in seeing the mural realized," Williams said. '''''' Gabelhouse said she has received many positive comments on the mural and hopes students learn about the value of public art. ''' "We tried to instill in them the sense that this is something they are leaving here that they can come back and see," she said. Mickle Principal John Neal is pleased with the mural. '' "It's incredible," he said. "It's fun to watch the students run their hand over it and explore it. I'm very impressed." Gabelhouse said her administration is very supportive of the arts and was supportive of this project. The community was also involved. The project received a Fund-in-Need Grant and received additional financial support from two anonymous donors and the Mickle PTSO (Parent Teacher Student Organization). Williams estimates that she spent more than 100 hours on the project, but she found it gratifying. "I've lived in Lincoln for six years now. This is the longest I've lived anywhere. Being a part of a community comes with responsibility," Williams said. "If you're going to call this your home, then you owe that community something. It was very gratifying to see so many elements working together-Diane Gabelhouse and her students, the Fund-in-Need Grant, UCARE students, donors-all wanting to get involved." 09/23/04 |
