Concetta Fenicchia, Play, 2012, glass mosaic,  Deleporte, Editorial Blue, 2013, newsprint, paint, PS 59 Beekman Hill International, Manhattan

Play, by artist Concetta Fenicchia, is a 30’ foot long glass mosaic located between the library and administrative offices of PS 59M. Viewers can see the work up close as they walk along the hallway, as well as from outside through the windows off the exterior entrance plaza. The artwork depicts children at play - jumping, running, tossing balls – and different objects they play with. Fenicchia was commissioned through Public Art for Public School’s Sites for Students program where artists conduct workshops with students as part of their project. Various types of collaborations result from these workshops. Students from PS 59 M explored different approaches to studying the figure, proportion, gesture, and movement using a variety of media. Drawing exercises such as contour, shadow, and silhouette studies were part of their activities. They learned how to create figures that appeared as if they were in motion by adding certain details and objects to help identify what the figure was doing. Fenicchia used their ideas about the theme ‘children at play’ to help determine the contents of the final piece. Through this experience and their interactions with the artist, students also had the unique opportunity to see the process of creating a public artwork.