A mosaic mural damaged by extensive renovations being carried out on the building it was affixed to, could be restored if Mills 50 Main Street and a local commissioner have their way.
The Diversity Mural on the southern wall of the former Lamp Shade Fair building at 1336 N. Mills Avenue [GMap] features hand-assembled mosaic hearts installed there to honor victims of the Pulse Nightclub shootings. Each heart was created by artists from around the world and mailed to the team at Luna Mosaic Arts (Website) in Ivanhoe Village who oversaw the installation.
The mural was damaged when new occupants, Thriving Hospitality Group, purchased the property and began demolition to convert it into a new bar, which we wrote about previously HERE. At that time, the original paperwork stated that the mural would not be harmed but as work progressed, the owners rang up Luna Mosaic Arts when it became apparent that they would need to remove large sections of the piece in order to punch out openings for a new window and door.
“They’ve been great. They contacted us earlier in the pandemic because they wanted to talk about saving some of the hearts and talk about possibly expanding the mural when work on the building was finished. We couldn’t save the original pieces that were removed but depending on the budget we get from the City, we may be able to expand it.”
– CHERIE BOSELA, LUNA MOSAIC ARTS OWNER
Recently, District 4 Commissioner Patty Sheehan has requested that City Council approve the contribution of $10,000 from the District 4 capital funds to help restore pieces of the mural following the renovation of the property, though some of those funds may be used to pay for new lighting to highlight the art, according to Bosela.
Mills 50 director, Joanne Grant, shared that a Call for Artists will be shared next year to ask for hand-made heart mosaics to be added to the installation, which is expected to take place in March/April 2023.
