43. Third Grade Tiles

For third graders, the tile project commemorates their time at First Program and allows each child to express their individuality and creativity. Started by former Art Department Head Sheila Lamb in the 1980’s, students now create two tiles, one for display and a second to take home.

As you walk through the halls of First Program, the first thing you notice is the incredible arrays of ceramic tiles on the walls. Working with their art teachers to sculpt, fire, and glaze the tile, each student dedicates hours of time and energy to this lasting legacy that will forever hang on the walls of their youth. Students roll out the clay on a wood form, sculpt the image they choose and make grooves in the back to facilitate gluing to the wall. After the clay dries, it is fired, glazed and then re-fired.

The tile project was begun by Sheila Lamb, former Head of the Art department, during the first year the third grade remained at the First Program rather than moving over to 89th Street. The tiles were done in the Spring of third grade after students had worked with ceramics for four years and could demonstrate their proficiency and creativity. Today, students can make two tiles, one for permanent display and a second to take home.

Looking closely provides insight into the student who made each 4”x4” work of art. Each tile celebrates the individuality of its artist by the subject matter they have chosen to portray, but as a whole, the display represents the “graduating” class of third graders before they go forth unafraid to Big Dalton.

Whether in fourth grade or as an alum, these former third graders come back to visit their tile and remember both the inspiration and the process of creating them.
—Sandra Brudnick, Third Grade House Advisor