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No. 19 Everlasting

Design: Joan Schwartz, Huntington Woods, Ml

Gold smalti glass and blue smalti glass, 2019

I was extremely honored to be asked to be included in this extraordinarily important show. My piece represents the circle of life. The Hebrew word for life, CHAI, is illuminated in blue smalti glass against a gold smalti glass background. Life is never-ending, and the small blue seeds symbolize Everlasting life.

I am self-taught, and art has always been a major part of my life. My journey into non- traditional mosaics began over fifteen years ago. I incorporate handmade pieces, all types of glass, ceramic, beads, wood, metal, and other repurposed materials. Each work demonstrates my attention to detail in the design elements, color choices and selection of tesserae (tiles). My love for travel and mosaics has enabled me to study with the top instructors in the United States and abroad. I am a board member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists and have been juried into Mosaic Arts International exhibitions four times. In 2020, I recorded my first mosaic video for Mosaic Arts Online.