Sunday and Monday, May 18 and 19, marked the culmination of this year's partnership between Trinity and Forest Park Middle School.
Social Studies and Art students at FPMS deepened their understanding of an ancient art form as well as the Civil Rights Movement. The church commissioned artist Pamela Chatterton-Purdy to create an image of a Springfield icon of the movement to be chosen by the school community.
In the fall, Trinity funded a field trip for students to view the artitst's "Icons of the Civil Rights Movement" exhibit at Elms College. Pamela donated 22 copies of her and her husband, David's, book on the icons to the school for student use.
Students discussed the art of iconography in Art class and studied the Civil Rights Movement in Social Studies class. After learning about Springfield leaders involved in the Civil Rights Movement, the school community chose Rep. Benjamin Swan as the subject for Springfield's icon. This interdisciplinary project was enhanced by visits to the school by Rep. Swan and Pamela Chatterton-Purdy. The icon will be on display at the school until it finds a more permanent home in Springfield.
On Sunday, there was a preliminary unveiling of the icon during the worship service; Ben Swan and members of his family attended.
The formal unveiling was at FPMS on Monday. Participating in the presentation were Principal Medina Ali,
Social Studies teacher Dr. Ann Barone,
Trinity member and Springfield Public Schools Officer, Zone 3, Veta Daley,
Mayor Domenic Sarno,
Representative Benjamin Swan,
Pastor John Mueller,
and Pamela Chatterton-Purdy.
Some of the students were also present.
Ben Swan with David Purdy.
