Barrington organizations team to create mosaic bench
On Friday, Aug. 18, participants from 10 local organizations - Barrington Area Council on Aging, Barrington Area Library, Barrington Horizon, Barrington Park District, Greencastle, Kaleidoscope School of Fine Art, Lake Barrington Woods, Sunrise of Barrington, St. Anne's Senior Art Group and The Garlands of Barrington - were invited to attend a book signing at the Barrington Park District at Langendorf Park, where the bench they created is located.
The response was so positive that Terry Jennings, director of the Barrington Park District, got cheers when she asked the group if they would help make another bench.
Students of all ages and abilities found a creative outlet by participating in hand-painted ceramic tile lessons provided by Kaleidoscope, Barrington. These instructor-guided lessons in a small class setting provided a social opportunity and safe place to learn new skills while fostering friendships.
Creative community building was the catalyst for this project titled Community Art: Legacy Project and it was funded by the Barrington Area Community Foundation, which provides seed money to local nonprofits that fulfill unmet needs in the community.
One hundred sixty-seven participants painted tiles, one for themselves and one to donate to the bench project. Kaleidoscope staff and volunteers glazed and kiln-fired the tiles, assembled the bench by gluing each tile onto composite boards of the bench, and then grouted it with cement.
The mosaic boards were attached to the bench legs, bringing the final bench weight to more than 300 pounds.
Kaleidoscope School of Fine Art, a 501(c)(3) in Barrington, has been providing art lessons in the community for more than 30 years. Its mission is to enrich lives through the visual arts. If you would like to find out more about its community projects, or have other art-related questions, visit www.kaleidoscopeschooloffineart.org.
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