Island students in grades three through eight, helped by local artists Sandy Glass and José Orantes, are leaving their artistic mark at Luther Burbank Park. Mosaic murals the students created were installed in June, with an opening reception scheduled for Sept. 15.

The mosaic project was financed by the Mercer Island’s 1% for Arts Fund, with additional contributions from the Mercer Island Community Fund and a private donation.

Glass and Orantes led after-school workshops for students from Lakeridge, Island Park and West Mercer at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center on Tuesdays, after students had applied for the opportunity to be included in the workshops. For a journal of their mosaic process, see www.playgroundmosaic.wordpress.com.

“It’s quite amazing to look back now remembering that our first workshops began with brainstorming,” Glass said. “Students drew the things they see in the water, on land, in the air and at parks.”

Orantes took these drawings and created a whimsical representation of the Pacific Northwest community, collaborating with Glass to create mosaic kits of various elements, including a lot of butterflies, an eagle, sailboats, a girl walking her dog, the Seattle Space Needle, cars, trucks and a flag for the 12th man. The mosaic “pixels” are bits of recycled tumbled glass and tile.

The sixth- through eighth-graders tackled all stages of their “Soar Like An Eagle” mosaic, which is 14 inches high and 25 feet wide and features birds that fly through bands of color. The artists said they were thrilled with the attention to color contrast and hands-on learning about color theory that was a byproduct of this collaborative project.

“José and I purposely talked with the students about our process,” Glass said. “We didn’t pretend to have all the details figured out because that’s not how we approach our artistic endeavors. Art, like science, evolves through trial and error.”

Volunteers, which included parents and four Mercer Island High School students, helped the third- through fifth-graders develop their mosaic skills.

“This project is a true community endeavor, bringing together students and community volunteers to beautify their beloved community playground,” said Amber Britton, cultural arts and events coordinator for the city.

The Luther Burbank Playground Enhancement project also includes a 5 foot high by 38 inch long tiled mosaic mural of a colorful landscape “Birds in Flight,” which Orantes created from a to-scale painting. This mosaic created out of quarter glass tiles will appear pixilated up close but come together from a distance like an impressionist painting.

Orantes will share this original 20 inch by 10 foot mural at his gallery exhibit at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, which will run from Sept. 12 to Oct. 28. Paintings and prints created by the artist will be available for sale.

Both artists said they are grateful to Joe and Sarai McCarty, co-owners of joetile, (www.joetile.com) for being generous with their time and expertise throughout the project.