Every year The Dedham Exchange donates its proceeds to local schools and organizations. While all of our outreach is important, the Oakdale School tile project is particularly dear to the hearts of our volunteers. This donation was created to honor the memory of Phyllis Krueger, a devoted Dedham Exchange volunteer and officer.
Phyllis had a passion for creative endeavors. She was particularly skilled at arranging silk flowers. To share both her creativity and her love of children, the Exchange established a donation for school art programming. Funding will go to each of the four local elementary schools, and the Early Childhood Education Center over five years.
The Oakdale School, guided by the leadership of art teacher, Mara Flynn, decided to create an all-school wall mural using painted tiles created by each child. Lisa Houck, whose son Harrison graduated from fifth grade last year, was also integral to the project. An artist herself, Houck found supplies for the mural and provided extra technical support.
Every student in the school created a tile on the theme "Layers of the Earth." First and second graders painted tiles for plants and the sea, the third grade made animals, the fourth grade contributed birds and the sky. At the very top of the mural are the planets and outer space by the fifth grade students.
Thanks to some wonderful teachers, the children learned about science and nature while they worked on their mural. A delegation from The Exchange visited Oakdale to see the finished piece, and met some of the proud students. The mural hangs opposite the school library, so every student passes by it several times a week. They often stop to point out their individual tiles to friends and teachers.
Next to the mural, a small plaque reads: "Layers of the Earth"; Art Project in memory of Phyllis Krueger. We think Phyllis would be pleased.
In addition to making donations at the elementary level, the Exchange also donates every year to Dedham High School for two scholarships toward college, and to the Dedham Middle School for new book purchases for the library.
Please stop by the Dedham Exchange and see the wonderful hand-crafted items for sale, as well as commercial gifts. By shopping at the Exchange, you are also giving back to the community.
