"It's a nice way for students to leave their legacy," Chapman School Librarian Gibby Paixao said of the project. She recalled how a chart created by the artist made it possible for each student to point to a tile and say, "I made that one."

Second, the project brings together art and science, with the piece illustrating the life cycle of salmon. The community's close proximity to Anchor River and Cook Inlet makes the subject a fitting choice. Dividing the stages of salmon development by grades gave the students' involvement focus.

"We had kindergarteners and first graders do eggs," Paixao said of the design on the four-inch-by-four-inch tiles. "Then second and third graders did (salmon) fry. Then the students did bigger fish."

Bachiochi took advantage of the project to introduce the seventh- and eighth-grade students to the graphic artistry of M. C. Escher. Born in the Netherlands in the late 1800s, Escher is known for his interlocking shapes and planes. The students' interpretation of Escher is evident in the center of the tile piece, where stylized salmon are neatly fitted together.

Tiles arrangements in the corners of the piece were created by Bachiochi and also reflect the development of salmon.

Not seen by viewing the project is the positive part it's played in Bachiochi's life. After 35 years of teaching art in schools, he suffered a stroke while teaching in a Connecticut high school. As a result, the artist lost his ability to speak and the use of his left arm. "Quiet friendships" he has established since moving to the Kenai Peninsula have aided his recovery process. Volunteering his time to work with students, to do his part in keeping art in the school and creating this project with the youngsters, has been another step in his healing process.

"I really found myself climbing the ladder of success with these children," Bachiochi said of his increased strength and vocal abilities. "I want to thank the Anchor Point School and Principal Shari (Trout) for allowing me to work with the students, adding art to the daily schedule."

This school year, Bachiochi continues volunteering his time at Chapman, taking students through a study of art basics.

"He feels it's very important for art and music to be part of (the students') lives," Paixao said. "They're getting a high school-level art education, and they understand it."