As you may know, engaging community through mosaic has been an important component of my work. Through the Society of American Mosaic Artists, I’ve met many colleagues who are offering participatory mosaic as a medium to heal, rehabilitate and celebrate while adding beauty to public spaces, and in 2011 I began to follow their lead when I took a workshop on Facilitating Community Mosaic, and then led the Artesian Well project the following year.
This type of project, where groups of people join together to create artwork that is permanent and often public, has a surprising impact. I have seen tangible positive change in people during the course of a project as they gain a sense of empowerment, confidence and hope. These projects bring people together across societal barriers, erasing misperceptions and biases. These projects can usually be made on a smaller budget, and in less time, than a traditional public art project, making it possible to add artwork to blighted buildings in disenfranchised areas, or for non-profits that can’t afford professional art.
I have been committed to leading such projects and I wish to continue doing this work, but I do not currently have a funding source, and most of my community projects have been done at my own expense. Lately, I’ve been brainstorming a new model where I am able to accept donations, apply for grants, and partner with local businesses to do fundraisers so that I can offer community projects wherever they are wanted and needed. I would love to do projects with shelters, schools, community gardens, libraries, youth organizations, assisted living centers, etc. My fantasy is to lead community projects as 1/4 to 1/3 of my work.
Community engagement can be done a number of ways. For instance, with the Artesian Well, it was hands-on with over 200 participants from start to finish. Community donated materials, made elements of the mosaic in separate group sessions, and even worked on site to complete the entire public art project over a 6-week period.
In Auburn, WA, I did a one-day event with kids where the design was partially completed at the beginning, and there were 4 large areas to fill, color-coded to make it simple. It took me about 2 weeks to fill in, clean up and deliver the mural to the City of Auburn’s Department of Parks & Rec, where it is permanently installed.
In some cases, I’ve had children design the project, and I did all of the mosaic work, replicating their drawings in glass:
For some projects, like the Diversity Murals, small sections were created by individuals and the components were assembled into a larger composition. So far, there are two Diversity Murals. The first is in Shelton, WA and the hearts were made both by local youth and community and also sent from all over the world. This inspired a second, more ambitious mural in Orlando, FL, where over 1000 hearts were sent from all over the world, mostly made by practicing mosaic artists. The Florida mural was installed by Cherie Bosela of Luna Mosaic Arts and many volunteers. *I am ready to do another one of these! If you have a wall and/or want to sponsor another mural like this one (I’m open to changing up the design and broadening the diversity theme) please get in touch. I am particularly interested in working on one somewhere between Portland, OR and Seattle with community events so that anyone can participate.
In summary, I’ve been brainstorming options and investigating creation of a non-profit, but mentors and advisers have recommended I seek out an umbrella organization or consider a different structure. I decided to go public with my process in case someone else out there wants to join forces, whether it be as a partner or patron. I am already doing the projects, but it isn’t sustainable without financial support.
And here are more images from past community mosaic projects:
This photo is from a mural-making intensive in Hillsboro, OR, but shows a group of people working together on a mosaic, which is what we’ll be doing at Arbutus for Arts Walk! 
Community mosaic at Arbutus Folk School. 
I didn’t realize that most of the participants would be under the age of 5! 
During Olympia’s Arts Walk festival, I led a mosaic fishmaking event. Turnout was huge! We had to set up extra tables and print more fish templates to accommodate all of the participants. 
One of the students helping with the installation in Shelton, WA. 
This family made a heart during a block party the school hosted. 
Participants at the Choice Block Party, May 2017 
I spent a weekend working with kids, who drew elements of the public art, including their own faces for the flower heads. 
Participants of all ages helped with the Artesian Well mosaic. 
Community helped apply mosaic directly to the concrete stanchions. 
Plum St. Village Community Mosaic 
Here we are when we set the final piece into thinset. Preethie has all of the photos of the day we finished grouting. 
A few participants working on their tiny houses. 
This participant was reluctant at first, saying she didn’t feel she was artistic. But she made two houses and really became excited about the project. She LOVED the final mural and exclaimed how proud she was to have contributed.
