UNIONVILLE ELEMENTARY HOSTED SPRING OPEN HOUSE TO HONOR LOCAL ARTISTOn Thursday, May 1st, Unionville Elementary hosted it’s Spring Open House. A very special event took place that evening with the official unveiling of The Children’s Garden created by Lele Galer, artist in residence, and the students of Unionville Elementary. This event honored Mrs. Lele Galer for the effortless work she has completed on the mosaic in the cafeteria. Mrs. Galer began her volunteer work in the District eight years ago and has dedicated her time to over 60 public art projects throughout the District. This project was her last public art project in the district, however Mrs. Galer will continue to lead the Art-in-Action program at Unionville High School.
The Children’s Garden is a wonderful mosaic masterpiece that spans over 60 feet by 7 feet high and brightens up the cafeteria area. The project vision started over 3 years ago when Lele Galer met with Clif Beaver, principal of Unionville Elementary, and discussed the desire to transform the cafeteria into something unique and memorable.
Unique and memorable is truly what the project has become. In 2005, over 500 Unionville Elementary students each drew their personalized flower on the cafeteria wall. The flowers were then interpreted by Galer into a unique mosaic art piece blooming with their own personality and life. On a daily basis the kids would watch Lele at work, creating a flower, one piece of tile at a time. They could see that each flower was hand clipped from colorful tiles, broken plates and other ceramic materials and that the process was thoughtful, taking an average of 2 ½ hours per flower to mosaic onto the wall. Some flowers burst forth even more adornments such as jewels, gems and other colorful trinkets making them truly flourish. Every teacher, staff and administrator had a hand in the project as well where their name is embossed in a clay guilded leaf which form structure and are an integral part of the mosaic.
Over 3 years and 3,000 artistic hours later, Unionville Elementary proudly presented The Children’s Garden - a bright, lively, colorful garden where the flowers are the children and the leaves are the teachers and staff providing the students a strong, supportive foundation where all can bloom and grow.
Many already know who Lele Galer is and we are so fortunate to have her as part of our school community. She has been an incredible inspiration to Unionville-Chadds Ford School District for the over ten years. As an art historian and author of the district’s current Art in Action program, Lele has energized our schools to a level that empowers students, parents and teachers alike. Her relentless energy and creativity has transformed school walls and other sections into fun, lively areas. We all now have a greater appreciation and awareness of student creativity that embodies our schools with pride and accomplishment.
Because of Lele, Unionville Elementary now has another incredible student-based art piece.
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