A Community Art Installation

 

Bringing Color Back: A Community Art Installation Inspired by Polly Apfelbaum

For the past two years, our school has been in a constant state of change—three different admin teams, ongoing construction, and the loss of many of our large-scale art installations. While our space has evolved, one thing has remained constant: our commitment to creativity and community. And now, thanks to our students, we’ve brought a little of that back to our hallways in the most vibrant way possible!

Our latest community art installation is a Polly Apfelbaum-inspired piece featuring over 300 individual ceramic tiles—each one uniquely created by our talented Wildcats. The design is a celebration of color, shape, and texture, much like Apfelbaum’s abstract work. But this piece is more than just an art project; it’s a reflection of who we are as a school. Every tile represents a student’s individual creativity, coming together to form something bigger—a symbol of unity, connection, and resilience.

When we lost so many of our previous installations during construction, we held onto what we could. Some of the smaller ceramic pieces from those lost works have found a new home in this installation, acting as "fillers" between the fresh tiles. It feels fitting—like pieces of our past are still part of our story, woven into the artwork of today.

Installing this piece was a labor of love. After two years of storage, it needed a good wipe-down before being secured in place with my go-to adhesive, Loctite Power Grab (because when you want something to last, you use the good stuff!). The final result? A burst of color in our hallway that truly reflects our community—a reminder that even through change, our creativity remains a constant.

This project, created for WB Way Day, is more than just an art display. It’s a testament to the power of art in bringing people together. Whether through lines, shapes, textures, or colors, we are all connected—and now, that connection lives on in a permanent way for all to see.

I created two videos to document this special installation. The first video shares the "why" behind our project—highlighting the process, the creativity of our Wildcats, and how this piece celebrates both our individual differences and our unity as a community.(find it here) The short video was made to inspire our students and staff, showing the meaning behind the work. I also used it in the classroom for students that missed our WB Way Day. 

The second video captures the glazing and installation process, bringing the art to life as vibrant colors and textures come together in a permanent display that reflects our school’s creative spirit. (Find video 2 here).

If you walk down our halls, you’ll see it: a celebration of our Wildcats, past and present, in every tile.