In 2011 I was invited by SAMA (Society of American Mosaic Artists) to be the lead artist of the Mosaic Marathon for the 2012 Conference in Lexington, KY. I was responsible for creating the design, ordering materials, and organizing the setup for the marathon. Then, during three days of the conference I led nearly 100 SAMA members in creating a mosaic triptych based on my design, which was then donated to Lexington’s non-profit, The Nest: Center for Women, Children & Families. Thousands of hand cut pieces of Mexican smalti filled the three panels, totaling 32.5 square feet. I blogged about this experience if you want to read about it here.

The mosaics, titled “Ready to Fly,” consist of goldfinches surrounding a nest of baby birds in the branches of Kentucky’s state tree, the tulip poplar, while one of the birds is flying away. The design symbolizes the families in crisis who come to The Nest for support and guidance. Using the resources and encouragement The Nest provides, the family develops the skills and habits needed for a healthier lifestyle. When they feel confident and self-sufficient, they are ready to fly. Read more about the design process here.