Shore Road sixth-graders have embarked on a collaborative endeavor to artistically represent their connection to the school community, as well as their move to the middle school this fall.

Called the Sole Mates Legacy Project, the students are working with visiting artist Catherine Russell to create a maritime-themed mosaic that will be installed on the wall later this spring as a parting gift to the school.

“This project symbolizes forward motion in a positive direction, as well as progress, as each one of you moves on to the middle school,” Ms. Russell told the students.

During the first of a two-part ceramics workshop, the students imprinted clay with the soles of their shoes to add a design element to the end product. Using a cookie cutter, they cut out the shape of a fish and two small circles. Ms. Russell then collected the clay shapes and fired them in a kiln at 1,200 degrees for 10 to 12 hours. The students will now paint and glaze the pieces, which will ultimately be arranged in the shape of a fish.
Ms. Russell explained that although the students will leave Shore Road and their gift behind, the bond they share and the pride in their collective accomplishment will stay with them as they embark on new beginnings.