Puzzle pieces. Each one is wildly different, with odd edges and unexpected shapes. Yet, when they interlock, they create beauty and wholeness. This jigsaw image creates a fitting metaphor to illustrate the “Compassion Through the Eyes of Children 2: Embracing Our Differences,” project.
“We are all part of a big puzzle in a big universe. We all fit in somewhere,” says Michele Wiles, Education and Curriculum Director at tag! Children’s Museum of St. Augustine. Michele wrote the curriculum for this latest project produced by Compassionate St. Augustine.
The art-based children’s curriculum was filled with open-ended activities, resources and discussion questions to get kids talking. As they focused on the values of compassion, freedom, democracy, human rights, they were also learning other things. Life-changing things like team work, collaboration, and problem-solving. After six-weeks of meeting with artists, teachers and mentors, it was time to get colorfully creative. And oh, did they ever!
Participating students came from the Betty Griffin Center, The Players Championship Boys and Girls Club, Emergency Services & Homeless Coalition, Kids Safe Zone, St. Augustine Youth Services, St. Paul School of Excellence, the Arc of St. Johns, ABLE School and St. Augustine Public Montessori School.
This project built on the success of last year’s “Obelisk Art 450 Compassion Through the Eyes of Children.” That one involved county fourth-graders creating a four-foot obelisk as a legacy project. This time, Compassionate St. Augustine wanted it to be more diverse and inclusive so it could engage and impact children of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
“The conversations about the values were the project’s meat and potatoes. In many ways they were even more important than the finished product,” says Josue Cruz, project manager.
The finished product is a rainbow-colored 15-1/2 tall obelisk. It gives visual voice to what compassion looks like to children. Currently, it stands like welcoming beacon at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre. But it is made to be mobile, so it can grace other locations in the future, too.
Tommy Bledsoe, the Arts Program Specialist for St. Johns County Schools helped coordinate the project. “It’s art with a purpose,” he says.
Fitting the Pieces Together
On Feb. 16th, more than 60 children gathered to create the final masterpiece. Leaders from nine area organizations, professional artists, community volunteers and members of CSA helped out. The “Best Buddies Club” from Creekside High School was also part of the project every step of the way.
“This is a first for the community, getting all these groups together in one place. The kids involved today represent the organizations that so wonderfully serve our community. We felt it was a phenomenal project and we wanted to be a part of it,” says Carol Gladstone, with Friends of St. Augustine Amphitheatre. The ‘Friends’ gave a $2,500 grant to help cover supply costs.
Using symbols, words, designs and the brightest colors possible, multiple hands worked simultaneously on the flat white PVC panels. When all the paint was dry, the panels were put together to form the towering 3D structure — a painted puzzle. The blank panels were designed and created by local craftsman Bill Goode, who also created the obelisks for the 2015 project.
As the children painted, Cruz strolled around reveling in the joy of the creative process.
“I see amazing artwork being created,” Cruz says. “I see smiling faces. Concentration. Pride. Healthy competition. Sunshine shining on a wonderful day.”
