Coming back stronger: Mosaic mural displays unity following last season’s devastating wildfires

“We decided to write ‘We will rise’ because the symbolism of the phoenix is kind of coming back from the ashes stronger and more resilient. Doing this project with children, we didn’t want it to be a traumatic image. We wanted it to still have some life to it.”

The mosaic mural consists of 576 ceramic tiles, painted with acrylic, and secured to the wall on a plywood base. It was made possible by a $2,500 grant from the Northern Lights School Division and a $500 grant from the local School Community Council.

A phoenix in the center of the mosaic symbolizes residents coming back from the ashes of last year’s wildfire stronger and more resilient. (Image Credit: Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Grade 6 students are seen working on their tiles for the mural. (Image Credit: Submitted photo/Meaghan Ford)

Amanda Hicks, Lori Howe and Kandi Boyes working hard to paint their tiles. (Image Credit: Submitted photo/Meaghan Ford)

Ford had the idea for the mural and approached Hicks to join her on the project. Most of the work to bring the mural alive occurred in the last six weeks and it was finally installed on Tuesday.

“We did a lesson in every single classroom and talked to the students about the symbolism of the phoenix and about the fires and asked them to incorporate some ideas based on that into their designs,” Ford noted.

“The kids did so good. Having not done this kind of project before, we didn’t know if it would go together, and so as we were putting it together, it was so exciting.”

Hicks added it’s creation is quite the accomplishment as she wasn’t sure if they would be able to pull it off. She said the kids had an idea of what the mural was going to be, but didn’t know which aspect their tiles would represent. Hicks stated the entire mural came together nicely.

“It is such a centrepiece for our school,” Hick remarked.

“People come and they stop and they look at it and try to see all of the different images in there. There’s little bits and pieces that kind of go together that were not meant to go together.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Coming back stronger: Mosaic mural displays unity following last season’s devastating wildfires

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