Hey Everyone! Take a look at this awesome event coming up. Let’s all get involved Long Beach!

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3rd Annual Restoration Trade Fair Spotlight: Community Mosaic Mural Project Pays Tribute To Horticulturist Luther Burbank & Shasta Daisy
A Call To Kids Of All Ages To Help Keep Mosaic Tradition Alive In Long Beach

Long Beach, CA (September 13, 2010) – One of the highlights of this year’s Restoration Trade Fair, Sunday, September 19th, 9:30am - 4pm at Luther Burbank Elementary, 4th & Junipero, will undoubtedly be the Community Mosaic Mural Project. Kids of all ages are invited to participate in the mural’s creation during the Fair day on the school grounds—and will be spearheaded by mosaic artist and Long Beach resident, Dawn M. Mendelson in conjunction with The Garden of The Mind Project. The mural will eventually reside in the Luther Burbank Elementary reception area.

This project continues the lineage and rich history of mosaic art in Long Beach as showcased in venues around town, from the 3-story historic mosaic in downtown on Broadway near Pine, titled "Long Beach Recreation" created in the 1930s by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) mural, to the classic mosaic throughout the interior of St Anthony's church near downtown on Olive St. Currently on exhibit at the 2nd City Council Gallery on Alamitos near downtown is an all-mosaic exhibition, illustrating some of the finest work in contemporary mosaic art.

Mendelson has been creating mosaic art for over a decade and is the Artistic Director of Piece by Piece. After receiving her master’s degree in English, Dawn worked in the publications field and as a fiction writer. An initial encounter with a small mosaic kit—and subsequent classes, workshops and seminars—launched her career as a professional mosaic artist. She has been featured on HGTV and teaches beginning mosaic, working with both adults and children. Her work is exhibited in institutions and private collections; and is available through various museum stores and galleries through the western region.

An active participant at Burbank Elementary, where her son was a student up until last year, she initially got involved with the Garden of The Mind, which led to the conception of the community mural mosaic.

“Both my husband and I are very active in the school. Last year, I met Gretchen Swanson when she began the Garden of the Mind Project, of which I became a member. The Garden of the Mind is a nonprofit effort with a mission based on ‘innovating education and community through the permanence of heritage; the wisdom of art; and the science of sustainability.’ This particular Shasta Daisy mural project will not only add a ‘Welcome’ sign for the school entrance, will be created by the community as well as students and parents, but it will also demonstrate what we can do as a group to improve our local school through the Garden of the Mind's wonderful projects and plans.”

The mosaic’s theme, the Shasta Daisy, was inspired by horticulturist (and school namesake), Luther Burbank’s floral creation. "According to Jane Smith's biography of Burbank," says Mendelson, "the Shasta Daisy represents the highest complexity of his art. He created this daisy from four different flowers, taking many years to create the perfect flower he envisioned. It was named after Mount Shasta's snowy peak, and was one of the most popular flowers amongst gardeners."

Mendelson specializes in Pique Assiette, a style of mosaic, which uses recycled materials. She’ll bring that technique to the Burbank mural. “I get especially excited about this style because of the colors, textures and history behind each piece placed into the mosaic. For our Shasta Daisy, we have lots of textured white plates and bowls that will be cut down and shaped into a dimensional daisy. The border will be recycled blue plates with some stars interspersed to represent the Star Students at Luther Burbank School.”

The creation of the Burbank Shasta Daisy mural is very much a collaborative, community effort—with Mendelson overseeing and guiding the creative process. “Everyone is welcome to participate in the Shasta Daisy mural. No experience required, just enthusiasm and imagination. It is a wonderful experience to take pieces of repurposed material and turn them into something new...turning white plates into a daisy. Everyone will have the chance to make their own daisy to put into the field as well. The reward is knowing you are a part of this community project, and that everyone collectively will have played a part in welcoming students for years to come into the open doors of Luther Burbank School.”

For more about Dawn Mendelson, please visit www.daybreakmosaics.com

For more information on this event as well as local restoration resources and specialists, and upcoming news and events go to: www.rpna-tradefair.org or find us on Facebook!