The American Experience

The Meaning

These mosaics use the symbolism of "the city on the hill", which was first introduced by John Winthrop in his Model of Christian Charity speech and later alluded to by leaders like Ronald Reagan and JFK to depict America as a model civilization in the past and in the present.  One of the mosaics we created depicts America in the past and is graced by a lifesize image of Walt Whitman and Deborah Sampson.  The other mosaic represents the 20th Century and contains lifesize images of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosie the Riveter.  Through both mosaics flow rivers, always a center of civilization and reminiscent of works of literature like Twain's Huck Finn and Hughes' The Negro Speaks of Rivers (among others).  The mosaics also make use of mirror to remind us, as we gaze at our reflected images in the piece, that we too are a part of history.   

The Process

The concept for this piece was created by students in the American Experience class during the 2013-2014 school year.  It was then designed in collaboration with mosaic artist Laura Jean McLauhglin.  We realized early in the process that we would not have enough money for tile so we contacted Homer Laughlin and they donated Fiestaware plates.  As a result, the mosaics are made almost entirely (with the exception of some pennies, marbles, and mirror) out of Fiestaware plates!  These plates had to be cut down into small pieces and then placed upon the template which was painted onto fiber board by our students at an earlier date.  Eventually the entire piece was grouted and mounted to the walls in the upstairs commons.