Route 66, From Chicago to Los Angeles
The newly completed Route 66 Mosaic Map by mosaic artist Christine Kreamer-Schilling offers a vibrant new way to experience America’s storied highway. Spanning 14 feet and crafted from thousands of ceramic, porcelain and glass tesserae, Christine’s artwork re-imagines the Mother Road as a grand thread that stitches America together. Like a Magic Carpet woven from Hope, Nostalgia and Imagination, the mosaic map is full of vibrant colors and textures.
Like the Mother Road, the map invites the viewer on a journey.
Christine says: “The Route 66 Mosaic Map is many things:
It’s a Treasure Hunt, a Conversation Starter, a Trip Down Memory Lane, a Funny Story!”
As a Teaching Artist, the Mosaic Map is, like most of Christine’s work, a “Learning Opportunity”.
Be sure to notice: The map is a Compass Rose.
Look for:
native flowers, state markers, a Cheese Head & funny stories: The King chasing The Queen, states where wine & fruit grow, Hunter S. Thompson’s Chevy Caprice, & places where Love lives…
Mosaic is a slow and deliberate art form.
Every tile is a carefully chosen, cut and placed decision!
Larger mosaic projects like the Route 66 Mosaic Map, require a strong team of Artists and talented ‘creatives’ – It took 8 of us to complete this, my most challenging mosaic yet, each playing an important role on this labor intensive work.
Note: Key among them is PJ Kempen, who has worked on Christine’s projects for over 10 years. A talented artist in his own right, PJ created all the brilliant cars and the ‘side car’ icons on this mosaic.
About the Artist:
Christine Kreamer-Schilling, mosaic artist, sculptor, community activist & Art Therapist, began collecting material for mosaics as a toddler, the moment she discovered she had pockets.
Christine began making public art as a Missouri Arts Council Artist in Residence over 40 years ago, helping communities represent their dreams and visions, often giving creative voice to under served and marginalized groups.
These days, Christine specializes in site-specific community installations that energize public spaces with work that is narrative, and designed to surprise, amuse, engage, and to invite close inspection.
Christine has created mosaic murals, sculptures and installations across Missouri, and has worked with a team of international artists on mosaic projects on 4 continents.
A native New Yorker, Christine attended New York’s Music & Art High School, earned a BA in Studio Art, a Masters in Art Therapy, and hitch hiked across Europe and Africa in the ‘70’s.
Christine still travels worldwide, to collaborate on International Mosaic projects … and collect more mosaic material!
Christine now lives and works in Springfield, Missouri.
Her workshop, MosaicaRose Studio, is located on Historic Commercial Street.
Contact Information:
Christine Kreamer-Schilling
MosaicaRose Studio
[email protected]
Facebook: MosaicaRose
1-417-849-3662
305 East Commercial Street
Springfield MO 65803