It has been my pleasure to work with the students of Weare Middle School, grades 5-8 for the past week. Some 600 kids worked on a total of 6 3′ x 4′ mosaic panels to help commemorate their town’s 250th anniversary. The students made their artwork based on photos borrowed from the Historical Society archives. We had 3 panels representing 3 different historic landmark buildings, and 3 panels representing the items that were either manufactured or grown and harvested in that area. The villages made everything from linseed oil and boots, to wooden toys and rope. The students worked hard on these enormously detailed mosaics, especially on the buildings. The had to learn perspective and did a great job on getting all the angles right, which isn’t easy! Also, in addition to the recycled stained glass, we used tiny bits of mirror for windows and tiny bricks made of porcelain tiles all cut by hand! Running across the bottom of each of the six panels are sets of railroad tracks and in between the tracks we incorporated real gravel. The tracks truly “tie” it all together! In just four days, the panels were ready for grouting and on the 5th day we were able to do just that. Soon, we’ll remove the masking tape on the frames and give them a final coat of paint in preparation for the installation. The students, teachers, principal and staff of WMS certainly have a lot to be proud of. Thanks for having me at your school, it was a real pleasure! Well done everyone!