Kelley Knickerbocker - Society of American Mosaic Artists

Travel, Mosaic Style
b y L y n n d e h n C a r p e n t e r
Of course there’s the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and such, but Washington, D.C., has much more to offer those
interested in mosaic arts. Here, an insiders’ guide to beautiful spaces in lesser known places.
In Washington, D.C., as in many other cities around the
world, the best known mosaic sites can be found by visiting
numerous churches and museums. But there’s also a wealth of
mosaic art in other spots throughout the city, creating beautiful
spaces in lesser known places.
Any mosaic tour should start with the largest, most noteworthy,
and inspiring collection of mosaics in the nation’s capital:
The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
(www.nationalshrine.com). Mosaics varying from ancient to
modern styles adorn the exterior dome, the soaring vaulted
ceilings,the o rnate arches, and the individual chapels throughout
the shrine. From the gigantic and powerful mosaic of
Christ in Majesty, the centerpiece of the upper church, to the
gently undulating blue mosaic walls of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Chapel, this location is a must-see for mosaic artists.
A heavenly pageant of saints and other sacred images in the
Byzantine style of mosaic are found within the gilded sanctuary,
nave, and balcony of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
(www.saintsophiawashington.org). Biblical passages, large
panoramic scenes of the Umbrian hills, and religious icons
are spectacularly depicted in mosaic throughout the Cathedral
of Saint Matthew the Apostle (www.stmatthewcathedral.org).
See additional examples of traditional iconic mosaics along the
Rosary Portico, garden paths, and near the entrance into the main
church of the Franciscan Monastery (www.myfranciscan.com).
Two beautifully executed freestanding 17- foot by 51-foot
mosaic murals are artistic focal points in the lobbies of the
AFL-CIO headquarters. The viewer is instantly riveted
by the symbolism of workers’ labor and by America’s achieve
Both of these stunning mosaics created in American marble,
Italian glass, and gold were executed by skilled union
craftsmen under the direction of American muralist Lumen
Martin Winter.
A tour of the Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress
(www.loc.gov/jefftour), takes you along Italianate mosaic
floors and unpolished marble mosaic corridors, and past mosaic
vaulted ceilings. On the second floor, atop the grand central
staircase, is a larger-than-life mosaic of Minerva designed by
Elihu Vedder. The Members of Congress Reading Room is not
open to the public, but the two large glass mosaic murals
within may be seen by special tour or on the website.
Notable public mosaic installations are part of the Metro’s Art
in Transit Program (www.wmata.com/about/intro/index.html)
and the Ronald Reagan Washington Airport Art Program
(www.metwashairports.com/reagan/dca_art_program).
The long exterior mosaic frieze surrounding the entrance of the
Anacostia Metro Station vibrantly highlights the rich natural
and social histories of the area. The geometry of the Glenmont
Metro Station and walkways are softened by the stylized mosaic
images of birds, stars, and sky of the long friezes overhead.
The New Carrollton Metro Station parking facility is enlivened
by the bright splashes of colorful glass mosaics imitating the
dawn and dusk skyline. These public works and the ten terrazzo
floor medallions found at Ronald Reagan Airport (terminals
B and C) exemplify the collaboration between architects
and artists.
Last but not least, there are two endearing community mosaic
projects in Washington. The 300 cheerful mosaic figures of
Hopscotch Bridge that tumble their way across the H Street
Bridge were created by inner-city youngsters selected through a
competition and the recommendations of art teachers. The other,
Roots & Dreams, The YuMe Tree, covers the side of the CVS
pharmacy at 500 12th Street SE. More than 1,000 neighborhood
children made and signed every ceramic tile on the mosaic tree,
expressing their hopes and dreams for their neighborhood.
Lynndehn Carpenter, is a Washington, D.C., area artist, and co-organizer
and author of the “Mosaics of Washington, D.C., Area” tour and guidebook
(SAMA 2005).
Photos: Lynndehn Carpenter
The tour book created for the Washington D.C. 2005 conference is still available on the second page of the Publications section of the SAMA Shop website.
You’ll find detailed information about sites in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Metro stop information and walking directions are also included.
Dumbarton Oaks, a little-known repository for a historic collection of books and images of mosaics of the Byzantine era, features the early 20th century
collection of Robert and Mildred Bliss. Today their former estate in Georgetown houses a Harvard Research Library and a small gem of a museum where
you can literally walk on ancient Roman mosaics while viewing an amazing collection of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art, including mosaics, metal, glass,
and pottery. The estate is surrounded by fabulous gardens containing a large pebble mosaic fountain and more mosaics on the walls of the poolhouse.
Dumbarton Oaks supports scholarly research through fellowships and grants and publishes books such as Mosaics of Hagia Sophia, Istanbul.
–Gwyn Kaitis