Things That Make You Smile was a community arts project initiated by Mount Erin Secondary College, Frankston involving ten local primary schools. Each grade six student from each local primary school was asked to create a drawing depicting the things that made them smile. These drawings were then translated into glass tiles by Mount Erin College students. Through this six month project the students learnt how to cut & grind glass, translate designs, compose pictures and fuse glass. The brief was simple: What makes you smile? The response to this question was heart warming as we discovered that the things children enjoy are still those moments of innocence and happiness that we can all relate to. Friendship, family, parties and Christmas Animals, nature, flowers and trees Oceans, beaches, forests and fields Sunshine, rainbows, snowfall and rain These name but a few of the things that make children smile.

As the finale; 200 glass tiles and more than 1000 children’s drawings were installed and exhibited at the Frankston Arts Centre in February 2010. The exhibition was opened by Arts Victoria and was well attended by proud participants, their families, Mt Erin faculty and the excited public who all enjoyed live music from the high school band and refreshments.

This project was made possible through funding from Arts Victoria, the tireless efforts of the Mount Erin College Arts faculty and was directed by myself, Ruth Allen.