Arts - Creative partnership tiling the Northside - Creative partnership tiling the Northside

    What happens when two women decide to make North Minneapolis the home of their mosaic and tile business? “North Minneapolis is an artistic center in its own right,” says Tracy Fesler, partner and CEO of Mercury Mosaics, “and what we’re doing with the art is very exciting!”

    Fesler recently partnered with Mercedes Austin to re-create Mercury Mosaics. “Mercedes had this art studio going for a year. Her main line is ceramic switchplates in an array of styles. She also makes incredible mosaics—creative, beautiful and expressing just what the wall’s owner had in mind. I’m an artist as well, but I also have a great deal of organizational experience. It seemed like a great match.” 

    What’s so exciting? Fesler and Austin realized they needed to be responsible for the community in which they live. Austin’s viewpoint is, “As artists, we know how much influence an environment has on people’s daily lives. Being able to have our tiles and mosaics make a positive impact on someone’s living space thrills us.” Fesler interjects, “Too many times artists get caught up in their own world. We decided to look outside our door and think ‘How are we going to create our community?’”

    So, in addition to adorning kitchens, bathrooms, offices and restaurants, Mercury Mosaics undertook to adorn the community. The studio is collaborating with Juxtaposition Arts on the Youth Camp Summer 2006 project. Mercury Mosaics is conducting a summer-long workshop for youth learning to design and complete a 20-foot long mosaic which will be installed on a steel wall for the Sculpture Garden at West Broadway Ave at 2nd. Says Fesler, “This community is in a state of renewal and we’re glad to be a part of it.” You can see their stunning designs at www.mercurymosaics.com.