Collaborative Process: Stepping Stones

Willow Elementary School Napa, CA | 2023

Funded by: Arts Council Napa Valley Community Fund

Additional Support: Napa Valley Education Foundation Innovation Grant

I worked with 94 students in grades 3–5 at Willow Elementary to design and create mosaic stepping stones for the school’s sensory pathway. Through a series of in-class workshops, we explored the ecology of the nearby Napa River and used river-themed words, animal tiles, and native plant imagery to shape the designs. After finishing the mosaics in my studio, I installed them in a flowing river pattern with help from staff and volunteers. The project now supports daily use by students needing sensory breaks and has become a valued part of the school’s Artful Learning curriculum.