Upstairs:Garden State International Photography Show Lower Gallery: John Arnold’s Silver Photography Crafts: Tribal Masks by Christina Buschiazzo

Art Work from the 4th Grade Students at Bayberry School What is a Tessellation?

Students in Liz Jenkin's fourth grade Art Class at Bayberry School have been studying the artwork of Maurits Cornelis Escher, and have created their own translation tessellations. The fourth grade Liz’s Art classes learned that Escher created a vast array of art using mathematical tessellations, which gave a unique perspective on this world and others.

So what is a tessellation? A tessellation is a combination of one or more shapes that, when repeated, cover a surface with no gaps and no overlaps. The word "tessellation" comes from the Latin word "tessella", meaning a small square tile used in ancient roman mosaics. Many techniques are used, including the translation technique. This technique involves redrawing a side of a shape and then translating a copy of the new side to every instance of the original side type. In simple terms a tessellation is like a puzzle with interlocking pieces that transform. "Students have worked diligently on this project, and I am very proud of them," said Art Teacher Liz Jenkins. The works are filled with color and design. Join the students and Mrs. Jenkins at the opening reception at the Watchung Arts Center on Saturday, May 15th from 2-7pm. The reception is open to the public, free and the art work view John Arnold’s silver photographs and the Garden State International’s photography exhibit with light refreshments. .