Young Artists Create Biggest Mosaic Mural in Texas

What do you get when you combine 24 teenagers, a cultural arts museum, a job training program and 100,000 pieces of ceramic tile?
The outcome is the largest ceramic tile mosaic mural of its kind in Texas.

This summer two dozen young artists from the WorkSource Youth Opportunity Program completed a 300 hour mural training curriculum created by the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH). The summer long art project resulted in the massive brilliantly colored ceramic tile mosaic mural. The mural was recently completed and installed on the east facing wall of the WorkSource’s Northside Center, located at 1906 Cochran at Hogan. “This project is larger than life and serves as a great example of what young people can do when they are provided with the proper tools, guidance and support. I don’t think they realize that they have literally written themselves into the annals of art history,” said Reginald Adams, the museum’s executive director.

MOCAH is no stranger to producing large scale public art projects, having developed over 75 community-based public art projects in the past five years, including the award winning mosaic mural at the Port’s Sam Houston Visitors Pavilion. The Port of Houston mural project recently received recognition from Keep Houston Beautiful as a recipient of the 2005 Mayor’s Proud Partners award and will be officially recognized at the awards ceremony in November.

The WorkSource mural project was lead by the museum’s founders, Reginald & Rhonda Adams and Nigerian born artist, Prince Maduekwe. The Adams guided the young artists through a 27 hour design phase which developed the blueprint for the mural project. Prince Maduekwe guided the young artist through a 173 hour production phase which yielded the 20’H x 60’L mural. Using handmade ceramic tiles combined with commercial tile the young artists worked 9am-5pm shifts, Monday- Thursday for 9 weeks to produce the work of art. The mural imagery reflects a theme suggested by officials from the WorkSource; Preparation, Opportunity, Equality and Success. “From the mural theme to the design and production process, this project lets me know that I can achieve my dreams no matter how big they are”, said Jessica DeAlba, a 14 year old artist that worked on the project.

The mural is a continuation of what, museum co-founder, Rhonda Adams describes as a renaissance for Houston’s public art scene. “In order for Houston to truly become a world class city we need more public art. Everyone deserves the right to experience public art regardless of social or economic barriers”, said Rhonda Adams. “Reginald and I have traveled the world and the places that stand out the most are those destinations that are filled with public art and Houston has a lot of catching up to do.”

The WorkSource mural is one of eight public art projects that MOCAH has incorporated into the 2005 series of city-wide Public Art Campaign (PAC) projects. The primary purpose of the PAC is to engage youth and community residents in the development of public art projects that reflect the culture and heritage of urban neighborhoods.

For more information regarding this project contact 713.224.2787 or send email to Rhonda@mocah.org. To view images of the mural and the artists at work visit: http://www.mocah.org

MOCAH uses art & creativity as tools for social and community development.
The Museum Of Cultural Arts Houston is a 501c3 nonprofit corporation