McCallum Fine Arts Academy students unveiled a mental health sculpture, ‘Mosaic of Minds’, on June 4 in partnership with AISD Student Support Services and the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.

The Sculpture’s Significance

The sculpture, made up of 100 ceramic heads stacked on large forms covered in glass mosaic tiles, represents the range of experiences and emotions within the school community. Each face on the sculpture is different, symbolizing the importance of individuality and the need for open conversations about mental health.

Art teachers Carey West and Abby Burnham guided students through months of planning, sculpting, glazing, and placing mosaic tiles to create the sculpture. The project created space for students to feel seen and supported, according to LaShonda Lewis, executive director of the AISD Student Support Services department.

Octavio Martinez Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, emphasized the importance of projects like this, stating that they show the community how important mental health is to the youth and that it can be expressed and beautiful.

A Permanent Installation

The sculpture is now permanently installed at the Austin ISD Performing Arts Center, located at 1500 Barbara Jordan Blvd. It will serve as a reminder of the importance of mental health and will spark conversations about the topic for generations to come.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.