Xavier student creates unique Stations of the Cross

Zach Detterman believes in seeing a project through.

Back in November of 2013, Detterman - who is currently a junior at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids - began work on a large art project in his ceramics class.

Inspired by his art teacher, Stephanie Wendt, Detterman set out to create custom Stations of the Cross using hundreds of small ceramic pieces to assemble images of each of the 14 Stations.

Wendt says she's been hoping for years that a student would take on this type or project.

'When I heard the idea it really caught my attention and I knew it would allow me to morph two important things in my life, faith and art,” Detterman says.

'My faith is something that is very important to me,” he adds. 'It is huge that I can give back to the Xavier community with this project and create not only a work of art but also a display that can be used for prayer for years to come.”

During art class - which most recently was an independent study - for many months, Detterman would focus his attention on the project, which he admits was a challenge at times.

'It was tough to stay motivated and dedicated because in many stages of the process things would get very tedious once I would get around to doing the same step 14 different times.”

He started with coloring pages that could be modified to create a tile pattern. Then Detterman rolled out a slab of clay, traced the outline and cut out individual pieces. Each piece, after being labeled, was bisque fired, then glazed, then glaze fired. Finally Detterman pieced the puzzle back together, glued them down and grouted the final piece of art.

Wendt was impressed with his willpower to see the project through. 'I am so blessed to have a student like Zach, who not only has talent, but the dedication and discipline it took to get these done,” says Wendt. 'Not many high schoolers would put this amount of time and effort into something that they can't take home. Quite honestly, Zach's efforts bring tears to my eyes.”

Throughout the process, Detterman says he had tremendous support from his family, friends and the Xavier community. 'No one had seen a project like this before so there was great anticipation for it.”

The project was finally completed - with all Stations framed and hung for display, thanks to help from friends Bill Helf, the Biermann family and Detterman's parents - in March of this year during the Lenten season.

'My favorite part about this project was when I hung up the first station and got to see the whole project pay off and come together,” Detterman says. 'And I was very happy to finish them on time and during such a special and meaningful time of the liturgical calendar because I knew they would be put to use.”

Detterman's unique, handcrafted Stations of the Cross are now on display in the Xavier High School Chapel, a fact that makes him very proud.

'I hope to someday be able to come back and show people the Stations and take pride in what an accomplishment they were,” he says. 'I am also glad to know that it will leave a legacy that will last a lifetime.”