Lewes in Bloom and Art in Bloom complete mosaic mural installation
Lewes in Bloom does more than plant flowers in the First Town in the First State.
Art in Bloom, a committee of Lewes in Bloom, further enhances the beauty and uniqueness of the city through public art. The latest artistic installation is the completion of a 100-foot mosaic mural on the Savannah Road drawbridge.
One of the goals of this project was to tell a story about the participation of volunteers in public art projects. It provided an outlet for creativity and building community pride while preserving the charm and culture of Lewes.
Lorelei Meanor designed the Delaware Bay- and sea life-themed mural, and directed 50 Lewes in Bloom volunteers during its construction. The mural represents Lewes’ vibrant waterways and the life that resides in them.
Almost 90 percent of these volunteers, ages 20-80, had no previous mosaic experience, but learned with coaching and mentoring from Meanor, while appropriately masked during this pandemic. Volunteers started creating the mural in January, stopped for three months when COVID-19 hit, and resumed again in July. More than 1,000 hours of creative and painstaking cutting of iridescent glass tiles went into this community achievement. Nearly 50,000 tiles and 250 stained-glass fish were used in completing the mural.
Lewes in Bloom’s warehouse gang installed the mural on the bridge Nov. 4-10. Mosaic volunteers artistically masked the seams between the 2-by-5-foot panels to make them appear to be one continuous 25-foot section. Four sections make up the 100-foot mural.
Business donors Maryland Mosaics, Back Bay Art Glass in Millsboro, and Glasshowes stained glass and mosaic art studio in Georgetown gave significant discounts on materials for the project.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a public gathering and mural dedication will not be held now, but hopes are high for an event in April 2021. A plaque will be installed soon near the bridge describing the process and listing major donors.
The mural, like other Art in Bloom projects, was made possible by donations from the public, which are still being accepted. To donate for the Lewes Drawbridge Mosaic Mural, go to lewesinbloom.org/art-in-bloom-donations/ or mail a check to Art in Bloom, P.O. Box 61, Lewes, DE 19958.
