The opening exhibition draws inspiration from the recently installed collaborative tessellation on the school’s front pediment, which features 45 interconnected birds arranged in a triangular pattern. This installation is the result of a collective effort involving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The exhibition at the ANC will present a miniature version of the original piece alongside a variety of bird designs created by students of all grade levels. Each piece highlights the unique creativity of the students. The works on display will showcase a range of mediums, including printmaking, sculpture, painting, drawing, and multimedia.

At its core, the installation symbolizes how each student, while an individual, is part of something much larger—our school, community, and the world. Just as the birds are interconnected in the tessellation, the students' unique contributions come together to form a greater whole.

Collaborative Tessellation Art Installation on School Pediment

A new art piece now graces the pediment of our school building. The installation features 45 separate birds, interconnected in a triangular shape. This project resulted from a collaborative effort that engaged students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The central element of the installation is a bird crafted by student Madelyn Kellerman. Madelyn’s bird is enlarged and replicated 45 times to form a tessellation that symbolizes a flock of birds. The bird was chosen for its representation of freedom and flight, reflecting both the personal growth of students and the unity of the school.

Mrs. Jones oversaw the project as a whole in art class, guiding students across all grade levels by providing a creative direction for the larger installation, helping to ensure that the individual contributions would come together to form a cohesive and meaningful artwork. 

A key part of bringing Madelyn’s bird tessellation to life was the involvement of the school’s tech department. Mr. Sullivan worked to translate Madelyn’s design into a physical form. Using Adobe Illustrator, Mr. Sullivan recreated the bird tessellation digitally. He then programmed the design into the CNC machine, which precisely carved each bird out of wood for the installation. 

The process of creating the piece was a multi-step, multi-age effort. Elementary students painted the birds using a cool or warm color scheme. Students learned about the elements of art and the principles of design as they purposefully incorporated lines, shapes, and patterns into their work. Middle and high school students contributed by adding decorative outlines to the birds, using complementary colors to those chosen by the elementary students. These outlines helped define the birds' shapes and frame the elementary students' abstract works.

The final result is a triangular arrangement of birds that soar across the pediment, bringing life and color to the front of the school. 

This installation serves as a reminder that while each of us is an individual, we are all part of something much larger—our school, our community, and our world. As the birds stretch across the building, they remind us that together, we can create something beautiful, meaningful, and impactful.