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Tile Project

Author: Joycelynn Saputra ('25)


Photo Courtesy of Joycelynn Saputra

Have you ever heard about painting on tiles? Well, every school year, Mr. Squiers' Literature class gets to paint on the ceiling tiles in his classroom. Over time, as more plain ceiling tiles turn into a work of art, so does his classroom. The colors and pictures referencing whatever book was read that year make his room look like the Sistine Chapel. Painting on these renowned tiles is a project every student looks forward to accomplishing.


This idea of the tile project started ten years ago when Mr.Squiers was "looking for a fun but not a typical project that kids could do." Painting tiles was a way for Mr. Squiers' class to creatively demonstrate their acquired knowledge while recycling the aging ceiling tiles around the school. This project created a legacy, as students would look at the ceiling tiles and ask Mr.Squiers about the projected stories.


Photo Courtesy of Mr. Matthew Squiers. ‘The War Prayer’ by Mark Twain


Tile painting allows Mr. Squiers to display artwork longer than you could with a canvas. Ella Truloff (25') said, "The tile project is one of the highlights of English class; we showed off what we learned while having fun, plus, it made our work immortal on Mr. Squiers' classroom ceiling." The tiles enable incoming students to see the work of their upperclassmen and former students.


Mr. Squiers started this project so the students could demonstrate their learning in the form of art. It was an exciting way for the students to talk about literature and get them to think deeply about it. The students found it exciting, and it helped the visual learners too.


Ayden Lindley (27') said, "The tile project showed our learning more artistically. We got to show our understanding of the story and characters throughout the tile."


Not only does this project show the student's learning, but it also shows how art can bring out leadership and cooperative skills in them.


"It was neat because you could see the talent. I could see that there were more art-focused students who could become leaders. You don't usually get to see those talents in an English class. Some groups would help each other out, and it showed the cooperation between the students", said Mr.Squiers.


The students would have to choose a scene with a strong representation of the novel they were analyzing. Ayden Lindley ('27) said, "I chose a scene in the very beginning of the book White Fang. It was when one of the characters had an encounter with a wolf. My group chose this scene because it was one theatrical and vital point in the story. The tile project helped us realize what state the character was truly in and how that scene would play through his eyes."


Photo Courtesy of Mr. Matthew Squiers. ‘Athem’ By Ayn Rand


While the tiles have potential to give spoilers, those who see them are able to gain a strong impression of the stories depicted. The tiles are unique as the students paint them based on how they picture them. It is one of the most popular projects for both students and teachers alike.


Students who have never done this project have heard quite a lot about it. They anticipate when they can hang their artwork and show everyone else.


"I am excited that I get to paint one of the tiles that will probably last more than a year and that everybody will get to see it," said Eunho Choi (27').


The artwork catches their eyes as they look around the classroom. Reinner Lokanata (24') said, "The painting of Hamlet looks cool because I like watching poker." He's also looking forward to showcasing one of the essential scenes from South! "There's an event in the novel where the iceberg breaks and they could escape in the middle of the bad weather."


The legacy of this project will continue throughout the years, and the tiles will always be a part of one big story.

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