By Maria Mata
Pasadena ISD Communications
The
Richey Street renovation project that began in 2018 is nearing completion and the empty spaces under the light poles near Richey Elementary will soon be a colorful display of shiny handprints.
Sponsored by the City of Pasadena, the Economic Development Corporation and Pasadena ISD, multiple Pasadena ISD campuses are participating in “Hands across Pasadena,” an on-going beautification initiative where students and principals will get to display their handprints on ceramic tiles. The tiles will be installed on Richey Street for the whole city to see.
Campuses participating in the project include Kruse Elementary, Morales Elementary, Richey Elementary, De Zavala Middle School, Jackson Intermediate and Pasadena High School.
“The ‘Hands across Pasadena’ project is a great example of the partnership the City of Pasadena has developed with Pasadena ISD since the election of Mayor Jeff Wagner,” said Tish Eubanks, City of Pasadena educational liaison. “Using the student’s handprints from area schools gives those students ownership of their community and their handprints will be there forever.”
Each participating school gathered handprints to fill four 18-tile sections. Every section will include colored handprints labeled with students’ initials and their graduation year.
Once all the handprints have been gathered, Pasadena High School art students and teachers will bake the tiles in ceramic kilns to bring out their shine and prepare them for installation.
Installation is expected to take place sometime in March. Once the installation is complete, there will be an official unveiling of the project later this spring.
This is part of an ongoing initiative. Please stay tuned for more information.