TAKOMA MOSAIC PROJECT

“We become not a melting pot, but a beautiful mosaic.” - Jimmy Carter

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500 square feet of community-created glass, mirror and ceramic mosaic installed on the exterior of the Takoma Park Library.  Collaboratively designed 500+ square feet, with 300+ participants.

I initiated the project, instituted a participatory design process using community feedback for collaborative design, and maintained contact via print, website, social media, electronic newsletter, press releases, and public discussions. I co-managed this project with Alice Sims of Art For The People. We sought funding, donations of materials and hired mosaic artist Arturo Ho to help hands-on. The Project included:

  • Artists who worked on the mosaic mural at the American Visionary Art Museum gave talks and acted as technical advisors.

  • Karen Weisser (Weisser Glass, Kensington) offered free glass-cutting workshops. Art For The People offered free ceramic classes.

  • Workshops and work on the mosaic engaged a variety of community residents including the Down Syndrome Association and the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center in Langley Park, as well as the general public. There were also special classes for kids too young to work with glass.

  • Funding came via the local nonprofit Art For The People, conjunction with The City of Takoma Park & The Takoma Foundation of the Montgomery County Community Foundation.

The mural has become a popular spot, and will be preserved with library renovations.

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A second mosaic project has an integrated garden of native plants for storm water abatement, designed and installed in collaboration with the City of Takoma Park Public Works.

Teacher Rachna Rikhye and her non-profit organization Diversity International produced a book for children on the project, The Mosaic Community, using my photographs. Book design: Laura DiCurcio.

I continue work with tile and mosaic in a home studio.