Earlier in her career, Maria French had once curated a small display by students who made lanterns and festooned them from trees. “Art can be used to bring people together,” said French, the Flood Brook School (FBS) art teacher. “So this year at Flood Brook, students and staff took the idea of a Lantern Festival to a much grander level — a community celebration of light and each other.”
As day moved to dusk on Wednesday, March 13th, Flood Brook turned into an art exhibition space. The students and staff had created more than 400 lanterns made of glass, wood, paper, paint and other materials, which lined the hallways of the school. Illuminated by battery tea-lights, they collectively formed a pathway that guided attendees through the building and outside to the basketball courtyard. The festival concluded with the release of 14 fire balloons into the evening sky.
“The Lantern Festival was just amazing,” FBS Principal Johanna Liskowsky-Doak said. “The fire balloons were beautiful. People were in awe. Big kudos to Maria for organizing, being creative and sharing the love of light.”
A few of the 400 lanterns lining the hallways of the Flood Brook School. A few of the 400 lanterns lining the hallways of the Flood Brook School.
Lanterns made from glass, wood, paint, paper and other materials. Lanterns made from glass, wood, paint, paper and other materials.
Attendees of the Lantern Festival walked through the school to the outside basketball court.
Attendees gather on the outdoor basketball court to release the "fire balloons."
The Flood Brook "fire balloons" soar up into the sky.
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