Words to live by: Petersen Elementary’s new mosaic aims to inspire

When the new mosaic mural was unveiled June 2 at Petersen Elementary School, 3650 Cambridge St., it drew squeals, oohs and aahs from some attendees. The children seemed excited about it, too.

The work was a joint effort between representatives of the school, First Friday Las Vegas and Teach For America Las Vegas Valley.

Joey Vanas, managing partner for First Friday Las Vegas, spoke to a multipurpose room of students before the unveiling.

“We asked people to put a word of advice or a word they live by on a tile,” said Vanas. “I put ‘creativity.’ I believe creativity is the most important thing in our lives because it differentiates us from all the other animals. That’s what makes us individuals.”

The mosaic was put together over Memorial Day weekend by teachers Porshay Spencer and Eric Szameitat and Teach For America representative Jonathan Goldberg, but the real work began at the May 3 First Friday event in the 18b Arts District.

People wrote words such as “faith,” “play,” “Zen,” “brotherhood,” “positiva” and “carpe diem” on tiles during the May 3 event that was themed One World Through Art.

“The event brought together people from the Sikh community, the Muslim community, the Jewish community, the Lebanese community, the Ethiopian community and so many others,” said Corey Fagan, community relations manager for First Friday Las Vegas. “A lot of the tiles were in different languages. Art brings us together, drops the barriers and allows us to create something together as one world.”

Appropriately enough, the approximately 1,200 blue, white and yellow tiles make up an image of a globe emblazoned with the word “explore,” and Spencer said it wasn’t until organizers measured their space and thought about it for a while that they finalized the image.

“We thought about making it in the shape of Nevada or a light bulb with the word ‘think’ on it,” Spencer said. “In the end, we went with this, and I think it was the right choice.”

The school was chosen by Teach For America, a nonprofit that connects educators with students who need them the most.

“We recruit teachers who are committed to teach two years in a low-income community,” said Adam Johnson, managing director for Teach For America Las Vegas Valley. “We try to make it so every student has a chance at a great education. We have 290 teachers in the Las Vegas Valley today.”

The students spent a while reading through the inspiring words on the mosaic and pointing out their favorites to their friends and teachers. If plans go as hoped, they won’t be the last students in the valley to take part in the mosaic.

“We’re already looking around for a school and location where we can do something similar,” said Szameitat.

To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor, email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.