O’Neill Student Artwork Featured in Statewide Mosaic for Diabetes Research

The following article was submitted by Downers Grove Grade School District 58.

Students in Alane Lezatte’s art classes at O’Neill Middle School got a chance to be part of something very big this school year--a mosaic comprised of more than 2,500 unique works of art created for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Color for a Cure project.

The mosaic, entitled “Imagine,” was created by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in partnership with Project S.N.A.P. (Share-Nurture-Act-Preserve) and the Ford Motor Company Fund, and included works of art submitted by JDRF Illinois students and families, members of the JDRF Illinois community, and students from around the Chicago area. 

When Lezatte heard about the mosaic, she thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for her students to create artwork for a cause that is close to their hearts. Each of her art students, as well as members of the school’s Art Club, created a piece for the mural, which is available for viewing and ordering at www.projectsnap.org.

“This project had incredible connection and meaning to the students and their lives. There are students here who have diabetes, and students have friends or relatives with diabetes, as well,” Lezatte said.

The collaborative nature of the project is exactly what art is all about, she said. In her classes, she fosters an environment where students feel comfortable working together, sharing ideas, and gaining inspiration from their classmates’ work.

“I loved the idea of us being a part of a mosaic,” Lezatte said. “The students were able to take their small drawing and link it into a larger community piece.”

Not only is O’Neill well-represented in the mural itself, six O’Neill students also were interviewed for a video about Color for a Cure 2012. As part of the interview, they described their pieces and talked about what they meant. Lezatte said this reflection was a key part of the experience. 

“Artist statements are such a big part of the work now,” she said.

One student’s piece included hearts to represent encouragement and friendship, and bubbles because “there’s no way you can see bubbles and be sad.” 

Another student depicted a match, because “the flame on a match is small, but it can ignite something big.”

The students also shared their thoughts on being part of an effort much bigger than themselves, how they hoped the piece would make people feel, and what they themselves learned from the experience. 

“I’m just a kid, so there’s not a lot I can do--it makes me feel excited to be a part of something so big,” one student said.

“I learned how many people diabetes affects, how serious it is, and how dangerous it is. I learned how many kids have gone through it,” another student said.

One student said when she was created her artwork she thought of everything that her sister, who has Type 1 diabetes, has to go through, and how much easier her life would be if a cure were found.

“I hope when she sees the mosaic, she’ll know that people are working to find a cure for her and her friends. She has inspired me to inspire others,” she said. 

The final mosaic mural was auctioned on December 8, 2012 at the JDRF’s annual gala to support JDRF Illinois. The mural is one of many pieces created over the years by Project SNAP, whose mission is to “empower people of all ages to lead, speak out and take action using art with a message.”

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