Lessons Learned in Partnership
January 22, 2024
Note: The collaboration between artists Julie Mazzoni and Jennifer Freeman began in October 2022 when they submitted a proposal to the city of Dunwoody for a public art mosaic. Work began in August 2023 on the mosaic entitled “The Landscape of Dunwoody.”
The design/bid stage of the project was by far the most stressful part. There was intense creative pressure to come up with innovative designs, present them professionally and make sure we had all the information we needed. We both had full schedules with our own commission work during this process, which also occurred over the holidays.
We quickly learned to divvy up the tasks according to our strengths. Sharing the responsibilities this way is efficient and allowed us to learn from each other.
“Creative collaboration is awesome.”
Alicia Silverstone
We Compromised when necessary. Several times we met in the middle so we could move forward with the project.
We enjoyed the process. Each project has unique challenges and figuring it all out is a process we both thrive on. It is also really nice to always have something to work on. More sourcing material, fusing, cutting and adhering than anything else we’ve ever done, and sharing the responsibilities made it that much more enjoyable. We always kept Alicia Silverstone’s words in mind - “Teamwork is awesome.” And we celebrated and continue to celebrate the victories together!
It took extra time at the front end of making the mosaic to make sure we were on the same page and consistent through the whole project. This was especially true since we were working in our respective studios. Communication of material and andamento choices were all made before we began. Specific color choices were more of a continuing process using the overall design as a guide and material availability the final determination.
Communication was and is key. If ANY new development arose, it was immediately shared. Not just about the project challenges and progress, but about anything that effected the timeline for the project.
We hired our weaknesses. We needed help scaling the design and getting it printed. We needed help cutting the substrates to fit the niche. And lastly, we will need help when it comes to installing the mosaic.
Weather Dependent
June 12, 2023
When it comes to installing an exterior mosaic, the phrase weather dependent is tossed around at every scheduling discussion. The Four Evangelists installation was no exception. Fortunately, it was a matter of coordinating just two people – myself and my very busy safety and installation assistant. This two-day installation was scheduled and rescheduled in June of 2023 in Cumming, GA, a suburb north of Atlanta.
On Monday, June 12th, we were able to begin. The site has four niches in a brick wall, three on one side of a bell tower and one on the other. Our access was an extremely convenient set of rolling stairs that a very kind (but hard of hearing) facilities man rolled into position for us. This first day we were adhering the mosaic to the wall with thinset and tarping until we could grout. It was just about the perfect weather – 70 degrees and partly cloudy. As soon as the four mosaics were up, tarped and we had made our way down, the heavens opened and the rain poured down. I like to think Fr. Matthew arranged for the perfect timing that day!
Skim coat applied.
I like to think Fr. Matthew arranged for the perfect timing that day!
The heavens opened and the rain poured down.
On Tuesday, we returned to grout and it was another 70 degree day with low humidity. We did get stuck for a little while on one side of the bell tower when our stairs were wheeled away accidentally. The facilities man didn’t realize we were up there! No harm done and we were forced to take a little break on the roof (with a pretty view) while we waited for the stairs to be wheeled back. As we were working on the final three, lots of visitors kept climbing the steps to check it out until it felt like a party up on the roof! It ended up taking two people two half-days to install four mosaics that took me about six months to put together and the weather was perfect!
Installation party!
Fear
June 2023
I have always admired strong women. The ones that do hard things. Like jump into a forklift and move heavy things around or deep dive with the Navy Seals. This summer, when I was longing for my hammock and a cool breeze, I took a leap. It was about overcoming my fears and doing the hard thing. You see, for six long months I knew what was coming. I was commissioned to make four mosaics to be installed on the second floor outside a church.
"Thinking will not overcome fear, but action will."
- W. Clement Stone.
Mentally I knew this was not a big deal. The steps to install are clear in my mind. But the second floor part was pulling at my fear of falling. I’m not afraid of heights. I’m just afraid of falling and specifically breaking my leg. Two women I know have done just that so it was a definite possibility. One was a house painter. The other is an incredible all-around artist, Mia Tavonatti. In the summers, she has been heading to Marquette, Michigan and working on a brilliant Power of Words mural project. It threw her out of the loop for a good bit while she recovered.
The mosaic piecing was winding down and my fear of breaking my leg put a damper on laying in those last pieces. Here is the scenario: four niches built into the brick wall intentionally made for future artwork. Below, a covered walkway with a pitch next to the wall. While working away in my studio, the pitch of the walkway roof grew steeper and steeper. The gap between the walkway roof and the wall grew wider and wider. I was convinced we would need scaffolding, safety harnesses, and something to bridge that gap.
I hired an assistant for the installation and promptly put her in charge of safety. We scheduled the installation, and when the weather was ready, I bit the bullet, climbed the stairs and found – a safe situation. No need for scaffolding or safety harnesses.
More on the install later…
