Mirrors in which they can see themselves,
windows in which they can see the world.
- Lucille Clifton, African American poet, writer and educator
This artwork was created by First Unitarian Society Schenectady fourth-graders during their 2010-2011 religious education class: Windows and Mirrors.
The program, Windows and Mirrors, nurtures children's ability to identify their own experiences and perspectives and to seek out, care about and respect those of others. In their sessions the children unpacked topics that lent themselves to diverse experiences and perspectives—for example, faith heritage, public service, anti-racism and prayer. Windows and Mirrors teaches that there are always multiple viewpoints and everyone's viewpoint matters.
The children did guided work on individual Window/Mirror Panels in each session to explore looking inward and looking outward in terms of the session's topic. As a mirror, the panel reflects the individual child. As a window, it represents their view and connections beyond themselves to the congregation, other communities to which they belong and the world.
This artwork is hanging in the church sanctuary. Turn right after entering the building. Go through the doors and you'll see the art on the wall on your right. Many, many thanks to our custodian, Helen, and RE teacher Dan Bernard who saw to its' display.
