The Unity WallW.....The

OVERVIEW

The Unity Wall Project is a community based collaboritive public art initiative that celebrates and honors our connection to each other and to the earth. Unity can exist within diversity, and the contribution each of us makes is integral to the whole.This public art project will nurture the collaborative spirit and will thrive on the participation of our diverse community. Members from all facets of the community are invited to participate by creating a bas-relief tile using moist clay. The finished tile will then be installed as part of the Unity Wall Project.

My vision for this project surfaced because of the intensifying cultural, social, and political divisions that I feel are taking place in our country and around the world. Each day through the media, we witness acts of intolerance, hatred, and racial and ethnic violence,deepening and widening our sense of alienation. I believe that it is important to address these issues while not losing sight of what is positive and to embrace our common ground.

THE PROCESS

......The tile making process begins with a dialogue about what is it that makes us feel personally connected to other people and to the earth. We will pose specific questions to enable the participants to develop their personal story that exemplifies this concept of connectedness. Participants will be encouraged to sketch their ideas which provides a vehicle for us to offer any guidance that may be needed to enable them to visually translate their concept onto their tile. One facilitator will be leading this aspect of the group process.

I will then do a demonstration showing various sculpting techniques that can be utilized to create a bas-relief tile. Participants will learn how to attach the clay correctly and what the guidelines are to create a durable tile. I will also demonstrate how to add color using underglazes.While the participants create their tiles, one on one guidance will be provided so that each person feels confident in translating their story onto their clay tile. When the tiles are completed, each person will write their story with a quick sketch for identifying purposes. To see examples, go to "The Tiles" page.Once the tiles are fired at my studio, they will be installed at an agreed upon location, interior or exterior. The vision for this project is that there could be pieces of the UnityWall all over Montclair, in schools, parks, community centers, and houses of worship.

PROGRESS

We have received two MFEE grants to work with over one hundred students at Montclair High as well as Mount Hebron. At the high school we will be doing an exterior installation late April of 100 tiles over the retaining wall in the courtyard behind the amphitheater.For Mount Hebron, we will create 10 panels with ten tiles each, that will be temporarily installed in the cafeteria with the potential to be incorporated into a wall in a more public space.I have spoken with Pat Brechka and proposed that this project be included in the plans for the new community center at Clary Anderson Arena, which is in the early planning stage.I have presented to the PTA presidents and asked if they could find a way to sponsor at least one class from each school to participate.I have also done a presentation for The Heath and Wellness Initiative, as well as Montclair Dialog, who runs the Conversations on Race.We will have an Information and example Table at the YMCA Festival of the arts on March 11th from 7:30 - 10. We hope to offer workshops through their after school art program in the near future. For more informationgo to www.montclairymca.orgWe are teaching two sessions at the adult school, the first takes place on March 6th and 13th, the second one on May 2nd and 9th. To register, go to www.adultschool.orMFEE has kindly offered to accept tax deductable donations for workshops in the schools. Please go to the "Make Contribution" page for more information.Look for an in depth front page article in The Monclair Times Communty section thebeginning of March.

COLLABORATION

A large componant of this project is the collaboritive process. Each persons contribution thus far has been integral to the successful launching of The Unity Wall Project. Please go to the Facilitators/Liasons page to learn more about my background, the workshop facilitators, as well as a list of other people involved so far.

To learn more about how you can participate, please go to the "Participate" page

Elizabeth Jacobs

973 744-2708