public art | Carrie Bennett

The city of Lighthouse Point is getting some new public art this summer, thanks to our first City Summer Art Camp that ran June 9-13th, 2014. 26 kids kids ranging from ages 6-13 dove into bins of colorful tiles, designing personal mosaic creations and park benches for the city. We owe a HUGE thanks to local businesses Tiles of Pompano, D & B Tile, & Budget Tile for their generous contributions to our summer camp!
I first had the kids experiment with the “direct method” of mosaic making by gluing right onto 4×4″ tiles and grouting. (Wearing gloves of course, the fun part)

We proceeded to mosaic a larger piece to enter into Pompano Beach ArtHall’s student exhibit in August. By day 3 we were onto our bench designs, working in teams at our tables in groups of 5 or 6. I explained the “indirect method”” of mosaic making by laying out a cardboard template the exact dimensions of the bench backs, and having them plan and lay down the tiled design. Next, we carefully transfered the pieces onto 6″ sections of sticky contact paper by pressing them over each section of the design. I slathered on thinset cement carefully and had the kids press their contact sheets of tiles into the mortar until the bench was filled and they dried overnight.

Some groups created a mosaic of random colors & tiles, others an underwater scene, a lighthouse & a fish. The boys helped me stir up the grout outside after the tiles had dried in their bed of cement and we smoothed and sponged off the excess grout to fill in all the gaps. We even had a local reporter stop by to see our creations on the last day of camp! The kids had a blast & did some amazing artwork they will remember forever!
The following week I returned to sand the edges, seal the grout and prep all the benches for their public installation. I will post pics of the installed benches as they go up at Dan Witt park & other local spots in the city.
More city art projects to come! Great job artists!