A once-plain wall at the Green Hills Public Library has been transformed into a vibrant, community-created mosaic, thanks to a collaboration between the library and renowned mosaic artist Sonata Kazimieraitiene.
The artwork, a reflection of collective creativity, now adorns the Screened Porch Room inside the library at 10331 Interlochen Dr. in Palos Hills, showcasing the artistic contributions of local residents.
The Community Mosaic Project was spearheaded by Jane Jenkins, the library’s director, who saw an opportunity to enhance the space while fostering community engagement.
“We have worked with Sonata over the years to create community mosaics both inside and outside our library,” Jenkins said. “We had a large plain wall in our Screened Porch Room that I thought would benefit from some mosaic art.”
The initiative invited library patrons to participate in a series of workshops held in March and April of last year. Under the guidance of Kazimieraitiene, participants designed and created individual ceramic pieces that would come together to form the final mosaic. The project was officially completed in February of this year.
For Kazimieraitiene, who divides her time between Chicago and Delray Beach, Florida, mosaic art is a metaphor for life itself.
“Just like in mosaics where individual pieces are meticulously arranged to form a complete picture, life often progresses one step at a time,” she said. “Each decision, action, or experience contributes to the overall fabric of our lives, much like each piece contributes to the beauty of a mosaic.”
Kazimieraitiene, a graduate of Vilnius Academy of Art with a degree in design, and holder of an MBA in Marketing from Concordia University, has long been drawn to the adaptability and unity that mosaic art represents.
“Mosaics bring together diverse elements – different colors, shapes, and textures – to create a harmonious whole,” she explained. “Similarly, life is enriched by diversity, through diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences.”
The library’s mosaic was created using ceramics, a medium chosen for its durability and aesthetic appeal. During the workshops, patrons designed unique circular ceramic pieces, incorporating their personal creativity into the larger work.
“It’s wonderful to see how creative our community is,” Jenkins said. “Everybody is able to create unique pieces to add to the mosaic that will be a part of the whole piece.”
The mosaic stands as a testament to the power of community and shared artistic expression, Jenkins said, because as patrons visit the library, they will see their contributions woven into a larger masterpiece and is a visual representation of how individual efforts can come together to create something beautiful.
The library continues to engage the community through art, literature, and cultural initiatives and the Community Mosaic Project is just one example of how public spaces can serve as canvases for collaboration, creativity and connection.
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