Byrd Students Create Mural to Honor Famous Explorer Richard E. Byrd

The following was submitted by the Glen Rock Public School District.

On Friday, May 17, a large mosaic tile mural depicting the exploration of Admiral Richard E. Byrd was unveiled at the Richard E. Byrd Elementary School in Glen Rock. The 8’ X 12’ mural was installed on the rear exterior wall of the school, adjacent to the school’s serenity garden. 

In the spring of 2012, Glen Rock art teacher Connie Cipolli wrote an ‘Arts in Education’ Grant and was awarded $6,000 in funds to create the ceramic mosaic mural. The Glen Rock Board of Education contributed the matching funds needed to receive the grant, which is carried out through a partnership between the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and a consortium made up of Arts Horizons and Young Audiences New Jersey, along with the Geraldine Dodge Foundation.  

The grant allowed for integration of science, social studies, research and art processes with a concentration on fourth grade students, who provided the vision for the project. The students researched Byrd’s life, as well as the flora and fauna appropriate to his explorations, and ultimately determined what the mural would depict.  They were assisted throughout the project by Kit Salier, a well-respected muralist who served as the artist in residence and worked with the students since September on a monthly basis.

All students in grades K-5 learned the craft of tile making, from rolling out the clay, to cutting the pieces, and finally painting and glazing their finished tiles. The staff at Byrd School contributed to the effort as well, along with Principal Dr. Linda Weber, parents and community members. Glen Rock Mayor John Van Keuren created the US flag; Councilwoman Joan Orseck crafted one of the many snowflakes, and owners of several local businesses, including The Grow-Cery, Francesca’s Pizzeria and Rita’s Italian Ice added tiles. James Fitzmaurice, a highly respected stone mason and craftsman, whose grandson Andrew Long is a third-grader at the school, provided his expertise to the project and its final installation.  

“Classroom Close-up NJ,” a production of the New Jersey Education Association and NJTV, was on hand for the final installation and will feature the work behind the mural along with the unveiling ceremony in a future episode of the Emmy-winning show.