Check out this new Bergen County mural, created with help from Northern Highlands students
ALLENDALE — Clay-spattered Northern Highlands students completed a two-day stint at the borough's Department of Public Works building on Tuesday, sculpting details for nine historic buildings to be included in a new Centennial Mural.
Ceramics teacher Jessica Thompson oversaw a team of 20 ceramic and art student volunteers working on the next stage of assembling clay pieces for a multi-panel, three-dimensional mural to replace the 1994 Centennial Mural. Painted on the west walk of a commercial/residential building at 83-89 W. Allendale Ave. in the borough's central business district, the mural had faded and was partially plastered over four years ago during a wall-reinforcement project.
The clay outlines of nine buildings, including the face of the borough's clock, each measuring 3 to 5 feet, were laid out on plywood trestle tables in the DPW's garage. The completed forms will be cut into pieces, dried, fired and painted with colored enameled glazes. The tiles will be affixed to prefabricated stainless steel panels.
"We created clay outlines of the buildings from laser templates, and the students are now applying the details such as windows, steps and bushes," said Simon Rigg, a resident sculptor in charge of the project.
According to Rigg, the project has been worked into the curriculum of the district's three schools. Students received an introductory lesson on the history of the mural and its chosen elements. Third graders previously shaped clay animals and birds indigenous to the borough's Celery Farm preserve for the mural.
On Tuesday, student Graham Kaufman struggled to make the steps in front of the Highlands Presbyterian Church form look three dimensional, while fellow student Addison Pavone used a sculpting tool to cross-hatch a section of the base before applying a strip of clay defining one of its windows.
"You have to be careful not to dig too deep or the form will break when it dries," Pavone said.
Students worked in shifts, alternating between time at a work station with snack breaks on the garage's driveway.
Mayor Amy Wilczynski, who is overseeing the fundraising effort for the $100,000 project, was present both days to observe student progress.
"We just had a fundraiser at the Allendale Bar & Grill, and will be doing others in the weeks ahead," Wilczynski said.
A link for donations is posted on the borough's website page for the mural.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Allendale NJ Centennial Mural created with help from students
