B.F. Day Tile Mural: Volunteer Opportunity?

First Installment of B.F. Day Tile Wall, dedicated April 1995 - photo by Larry Wales

The corner of North 39^th Street and Fremont Avenue can be landmarked by a tile mural that stands beside it, declaring the name of the school hidden by greenery behind it – B.F. Day Elementary.  The mural not only marks the location of the school, but also the artistic talents, interests and passions of a generation of students.

That opportunity, for graduating students to literally put their mark on the wall, may end.  According to Julie Trout, B.F. Day visual arts teacher, “I am not sure if I will continue it this year due to a reduced schedule.”  The wall began with a volunteer effort, and when asked if a volunteer effort could help, Trout enthusiastically stated, “that would be great!  I’m not sure I can do it alone again.”

From Plain Concrete

The official program from the tile mural opening ceremony, dated April 18, 1995, listed Veronica (MacKinnon) Truffat and Dave McKay as the representatives of the Fremont Arts Council, and principal artists.  Truffat also gave credit to Steve Roach, who created many of the tiles in the classroom and in his Fremont shop, Aruba Tile.

“It was community art at its finest,” Truffat explained, “everybody was so enthusiastic!”  One long, rainy day, Denise (Fogleman) Henrikson helped McKay, who passed away soon thereafter, work under a blue tarp to install the white tiles that “so the name would pop.”  Truffat and McKay created the original design, and the vine tile frame – imprinted with the names of people and businesses that paid to support the project.  For inspiration, Truffat explained, “a plain, unattractive and really prominent concrete wall had to have the name of the school – and had to involve the school and the Fremont artists.”

To Instructional Tool

Robin Kinney Robbins has been at B.F. Day for 25 years.  She recalled the whole school getting into that first installation – the kids made tiles or pieces to be incorporated.  For four years Robbins worked at the school as the art teacher, and she got to carry on the project, with each year another panel installed and “each year a tile goes up for each 5^th Grader that graduates,” Robbins explained.

Under her leadership, “the tiles were symbolic of what the child wanted to be or do,” Robbins described.  Students made their tile by hand, rolling it out for a bisque firing by Robbins.  The student would draw their design on paper, then pencil it on a fired tile before painting the design and covering the work in a glaze.  Robbins would then do a glaze firing, in the school’s kiln.

“We would spend a couple of months on it,” she admitted, and try to involve parents and members of the Fremont Chamber, “it’s quite a challenge to decorate a vertical wall.”  Yet, Robbins proudly stated, “most students that graduated from B.F. Day have a tile on that wall.”

When she inherited the project last year, Trout took a different tack.  She taught the students about mosaic work, world art, and mandalas – then each child made their own.  “I really want kids to find the joy in creating,” Trout explained, and this project “is part of the bigger picture of opportunities for the kids to create.”

Comes a Historic Landmark

Truffat identified the long-term joy behind the wall.  “I love to show friends,” she admitted, “I’ll make them guess which one is mine,” and they usually can.  “That’s the nice thing about tile, it holds up real well,” Truffat said.  It will hold up, if installed.

This year Trout had her hours cut back and won’t have time to create a panel with the graduating class, “we would need volunteers to come in and work with the kids, or help to install it, or donations of mosaic material.”  If you can help, contact Trout by e-mail or leave a message for her at 206/252-6010.  “This is one of our great public schools,” Robbins enthused.  Wouldn’t it be great to show it some great community support?

©2010 Kirby Lindsay.  This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws.  Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.    www.fremocentrist.com

Why Volunteer For Moisture?

 

Some of the volunteers that made Moisture happen in 2007 - photo by John Cornicello

Moisture Festival, the one-of-a-kind Comedy/Varietè extravaganza born in Fremont, generally leaves attendees reeling in wonder.  Jugglers, aerialists, bubble-blowers, contortionists, singers, magicians, musicians, clowns, and several indefinable ‘whatevers’ (not to mention dancers, strippers, comedians, etc. in the burlesque shows) come together each spring for this amazing vaudevillian showcase.

According to a Festival Founder, and its Development Director, Ron Bailey, but for the hundreds of volunteers that work together the show would not go on.  “The thing that is really blowing my mind is how it is all volunteers,” he stated, “the whole thing would not work if you had to pay everyone.”

Veterans To Novices

Tom Bennett attended the Festival in its first year – in 2004 under the Big Top on a U-Park lot in Fremont – and he’s volunteered every year since.  (According to Peter Glick, of Roxy’s Diner, he also provided invaluable help last year feeding the volunteers.)  Bennett values the mentoring he’s gained from Bailey who, according to Bennett, “has this infectious way of making this magic happen.”  He also values what the Festival has to offer.  “This style of entertainment is very important,” he explained.  The last Great Depression had vaudeville, and the Festival has, “a spirit that I really want to be part of.”  As he stated, “I want to make sure this style of entertainment continues.

Cathy Larson admitted she not only had never before volunteered for Moisture Festival, she hadn’t volunteered much before at all.  As she filled out her requests for shifts (volunteers see the shows they ‘work’), she explained, “I came to Moisture Festival two years ago, and I just thought I want to be part of this.”  Larson does have a tendency that is particularly Moisture-esque, “I enjoy dressing up,” she admitted, “just get dressed up and be silly with it.”

Jack House first found the Moisture Festival through a website asking for volunteers.  He already had volunteered at ACT (one Festival venue) and altruistic reasons partially lead him to volunteer, including “giving back to the community.”   He also likes to put his free time to constructive use, and get in for free.  “It’s a way to see people display these talents,” House explained, “people who do crazy things.”  He’s worked 3 or 4 years for Moisture, as security, ticket booth and general schlepper – along with helping paint the ticket booth.  “My favorite,” he acknowledged, “was security.  Best seat in the house!”

Never Been To Never Missed

Sulaiman Fulton never before has volunteered for the Festival – and he’s never before seen it.  His girlfriend, a vaudevillian, brought him along and, according to him, he’s most willing!  He’s loved learning about the growing vaudeville community.  “It’s still kind of underground,” he mused, but “it’s wonderful!  It’s a lot of fun.”  Fulton likes the “new feeling” of it all, and the welcoming attitude he’s encountered.  “Everyone is understanding,” he stated, and “urges you to express yourself more.”

Nathan Arnold will volunteer this year, since he won’t be performing.  “I’m not a big enough drip to precipitate this year,” he explained.  Arnold stated that he doesn’t currently have an act professional, or polished, enough to go on stage with other Festival performers.  As to why he continues to participate, he explained, “I’ve been part of this whole Fremont Arts Council community,” where several Festival producers met, “for 15 years, and I just like being around my friends.”

For those without friends among the Festival crew, yet, the Festival atmosphere has proven most conducive for creating them.  To volunteer, contact Shanika Davis, Volunteer Coordinator, about shifts and shows still available.  Still not convinced?  Go to the Moisture Festival website to buy tickets and find out what the fuss is all about.

©2010 Kirby Lindsay.  This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws.  Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.  www.fremocentrist.com