SOUTHINGTON - Supporters hope for a smashing success to raise funds for the Southington YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign. That's why they've asked folks to smash a lot of plates to create pieces for a mosaic design that will adorn a customized bench and chair. The items will be auctioned off Friday at the Y's "Forever in Blue Jeans" event at the Aqua Turf Club.

Artists Mary DeCroce and Diann Thomson got the project started last week with a day set aside to pulverize pottery. "It was so invigorating to smash plates," said Thomson. The array of broken pieces was used to start off the mosaic's design. Later, visitors to the Y got their chance to break china for a good cause.

The bench and chair were placed in the lobby of the Y's building on High Street, which made the project very visible and approachable. "It's a community project. Everybody can put in a piece," said DeCroce.

"The school girls came out (to the lobby) and when they found out they could smash plates, they loved it," said Thomson. "They have so much fun with the hammer," added DeCroce. She said the younger children can hardly believe someone wants them to break a plate on purpose.

The pottery pieces are organized by keeping the same color in plastic trays, Thomson said. The pieces are stuck down with heavy-duty glue, DeCroce said. Once all the pieces are in place, grout is added around the design.

The wooden furniture will be painted midnight blue with a hand-lettered verse decorating the arms and back of the pieces. The verse is from the band "Five for Fighting," said Thomson. The words will read "What kind of world do you want? Think anything. Let's start at the start. Build a masterpiece. Be careful what you wish for. History starts now…"

Eight-year-old Ethan Thomson, Diann's son, got to try his hand at the art. "I liked cracking the tiles. We put them in a big bag and hit them with a hammer," he said. Ethan Thomson said he received guidance from DeCroce, who helped him figure out what color to place in a specific spot. "We need a red here, or a blue there," he said he was told. "It's way different than painting or coloring."

The mosaic-decorated furniture will be auctioned off to benefit the Strong Kids Campaign, which raises money for scholarships for children and teens to attend Y programs and summer camp.

The campaign kicked off in May with a goal to raise more than $125,000 for the year. It will cost more than $260,000 this year to support the scholarship program, organizers say. The balance of the funds is provided through the United Way.

The two artists hope the winning bids for the two mosaic pieces will reach into the hundreds if not up to $1,000. For more information on the Forever in Blue Jeans event, go to the Y's Web site at www.southington-cheshireymca.org or call (860) 628-5597.

lhutchison@record-journal.com

(203) 317-2214