I have observed Donna Billick's community work for many years and wished I could participate so that I could see how she coordinates many people to produce such marvelous cooperative pieces. Being invited to participate in the Art/Science Fusion project as an Arboretum volunteer was a perfect opportunity.

Donna suggested I make a big tile depicting Candy Tuft 'Little Gems', and then before I knew it, Donna sliced pieces off and gave them to two other volunteers to help make Little Gems. Just like that, we were cooperating. And although it was hard for me to not be in control, it all worked out. All three of us made flower clusters, I made most of the background leaves and glazed them, someone else added an insect, and another person put the pieces together and put the grout between the sections. Our one tile was indeed a group effort!