On Thursday, June 13, students at Bellevue’s Sherwood Forest Elementary participated in a special unveiling ceremony for the new art tiles incorporated throughout the campus.

The tiles, designed by students, parents and teachers, have been inlaid into cement alongside sidewalks and benches outside the building. The majority of them are in the cement amphitheater built during the school’s remodel in 2007.

The school has been working on the art installation since 2011 when the Bellevue Schools Foundation donated funds to begin the project. Led by art instructor Irene Smart, the students have been working on their tiles – which represent a number of themes including nature, family and culture – on and off for the past two years.

Nick Ushka, 8, painted his tile with a combined pattern of the Union Jack and American flags. He said he chose this design because it represents his family history; while he resides in the United States, his grandmother lives in England. Other tiles on display beloved pets, flowers and abstract designs.

The tiles were installed by Bellevue resident John Waddell, whose daughters, Jessica and Megan, previously attended Sherwood Forest. A former contractor with more than 25 years experience, Waddell said he volunteered to install the tiles because of his attachment to the school.

“I felt it was a great way to leave my thumbprint in the community,” Waddell said.

He said he was encouraged by the heart that went in to making these tiles come to life – and wanted to bring that same heart to the installation of the art.

In addition to the student-made tiles, a series of tiles near the entrance of the school were painted by parent and teacher volunteers; many of these tiles feature the word “Welcome” in more than 30 different languages. In total, 582 unique tiles can be found around the campus.