Weiser's library mural project is about celebration

 The Weiser public library has a beautiful new eye-catching mural along the front desk. 

 The project, funded in part by the Weiser Friends of the Library, was created by the artistic hands of Liz Mowrey and Sandra Mockwitz and features the names of people and businesses throughout the community on heart-shaped leaves. 

 The mural is about celebration. The word celebrate inscribed in mosaic at the beginning of the mural, is the theme of the project. The word, chosen by head librarian Pat Hamilton, serves as a reminder that the library is a celebration of not only reading but also of the community it serves. Each leaf was purchased by community members to honor and celebrate their loved ones.  

 The project began over a year ago, when Hamilton and Mowrey first began discussing a way for the  library, the library board, and the friends of the library work together to create something special for the community. 

 Many ideas were discussed, including adding names to the sidewalk. Mowrey suggested that an indoor display, although not visible from the outside of the library, would be protected from the elements and would be easier to keep in pristine condition. She suggested Mockwitz for the project. 

 After extensive planning and working with the friends of the library, Mowrey had finalized her design and the project proposal was approved by the Friends of the Library, but the work could not begin until the first 25 hearts were purchased. In total, the mural features 110 leaves honoring our community. 

 Although Mockwitz had mosaic experience, and Mowrey is an experienced design artist, tile is a new medium for Mowrey and the project was a learning experience for all. Because of the work space, the design had to be done in sections, and they were not able to see the entire project all together until it was actually placed on the counter. 

 “Working with the new medium and piecing the project together in sections offered unique challenges and it was a true learning experience for me,” Mowrey said.

 The last of the leaves were sold  by the middle of May, and the actual cutting, firing and placing of the tiles was a true labor of love for both Mowrey and Mockwitz with the project taking four months, an estimated 200-plus hours. 

 The final tiles were placed and the final grouting was completed Memorial Day weekend and the end result adds a stunning feature to the library decor. Although the project was bigger than both Mowrey and Mockwitz anticipated, Mowrey shared that in the end, she is truly happy with how it all worked out.  

 “It was a true pleasure working with Pat and the library board,” Mowrey said.