Sevastopol Community Comes to Life in Clay

Door County pottery artists David and Jeanne Aurelius work on a clay tile mural with Sevastopol School first graders funded in part through the Peninsula Arts Association and Wisconsin Arts Board.

The Sevastopol School Artist-In-Education Program is overseeing the creation of a 6 1/2 x 14 foot clay tile mural with Door County pottery artists, David and Jeanne Aurelius. The mural titled “Our Sevastopol Community from Shore to Shore” depicts Sevastopol School’s community history and natural beauty through the eyes of students in grades 4K – eighth. This artistic endeavor is a unique opportunity for Sevastopol School students to work side by side with professional artists and be an integral part of the entire creative process.

This project was initiated in elementary and junior high art classes under the direction of Chris Aufdermauer with students brainstorming ideas while viewing images of the Sevastopol School District. From the ideas generated, students’ drawings were blended into a mural design that best depicted the Sevastopol School community.

As the residency progressed, students created and watched as the ideas came to life in clay. Each tile was filled with tremendous detail, from the Door County coast guard station to the Jacksonport Polar Bear Plunge, Sevastopol School, farms, historic buildings, student activities, and favorite places. It was easy to see the children’s pride and excitement build as they watched the mural take shape.

The mural creation will continue the next two months with the firing, glazing, and re-firing of the tiles, before mounting the completed mural in the high school main lobby entrance. The unveiling will occur this spring.

The Sevastopol Artist in Education Committee would like to express appreciation for funding of the tile mural project from the Peninsula Arts Association in conjunction with Wisconsin Arts Board, Raibrook Foundation, Edgewood Orchard Cookbook Foundation, and Sevastopol School Parent Teacher Organization.