The 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is as much a celebration as it is a time of reflection of who we are, where we come from and where we are going.
As a cornerstone of Crealdé School of Art’s America250 celebration, American Mosaic: Stories in Color, Clay and Canvas—on view from February 6 to May 23—will explore the evolving story of our national identity through a variety of media.
Presented across three galleries—the Alice & William Jenkins Gallery, the Showalter Hughes Community Gallery and the Hannibal Square Heritage Center Visiting Exhibition Gallery—the exhibition will weave together themes of place, memory, culture and belonging.
Featuring works by Crealdé faculty, emerging MFA students from UCF and storytellers from across Central Florida, American Mosaic will amplify underrepresented voices and reflect the nation’s diverse creative landscape. A collaborative ceramic mosaic will serve as a lasting symbol of unity and inclusion.
“American Mosaic grew from the idea that art is a shared language—one that helps us interpret, question and reimagine the American story,” says Emily Bourmas-Fry, the school’s executive director & CEO. “At Crealdé, we believe that art has the power to build understanding across communities—and this exhibition will embody that spirit completely.”
As part of the exhibition, local mosaic artists and school faculty members will guide participants in the creation of the “American Mosaic Community Mural.” Those who join in (and all ages are welcome) will design and craft ceramic tiles inspired by their experiences of belonging. The individual works will then be assembled into a permanent, large-scale installation on the main campus in east Winter Park.
Bourmas-Fry says it’s this type of participatory activity that speaks to Crealdé’s mission of connecting, healing and building community through art. This was, after all, the goal of founder William S. Jenkins, an art-loving building contractor and an artist of no small talent himself.
“I’m always reminded that the most powerful work happens when we bring people together around creativity and empathy,” adds Bourmas-Fry. “Many of these pieces carry a quiet honesty, rooted in family traditions, cultural heritage and personal memory. Together they form a deeply human portrait—intimate yet universal.”
Crealdé School of Art is located at 600 St. Andrews Boulevard, Winter Park. For more information, call 407.671.1886 or visit crealde.org.
