Building Community Through Art at the REDF Retreat
Artists Victor and Andrea welcoming REDF attendees to participate
The collaborative mosaic was designed to represent the REDF logo. In the weeks leading up to the retreat, the Piece by Piece team prepared the substrate (board) and carefully selected tesserae, the small pieces used to create mosaics. These materials were then brought to the REDF retreat closing celebration, ready for participants to contribute to the creation of a stunning mosaic.
Throughout the retreat's closing celebration at Redbird, leaders from Employment Social Enterprises from across the country and REDF staff gathered to take part in this creative endeavor. For many, it was their first experience working with mosaics. The activity was a unique and fun part of the retreat, offering a relaxing and peaceful respite after three days of engaging sessions and networking.
Participants shared that the mosaic-making process was not only enjoyable but also a meditative experience. It provided a unique opportunity for connection and relaxation, underscoring the role of arts in promoting wellness. The act of placing each piece of tesserae became a metaphor for the collaborative spirit and shared purpose of the retreat attendees.
The nearly completed mosaic will now be finished by the artists at Piece by Piece and will soon find its permanent home at the REDF offices in downtown Los Angeles. This beautiful artwork will serve as a lasting reminder of the retreat and the powerful connections forged through creative collaboration.
At Piece by Piece, we are proud to have facilitated this project and grateful for the opportunity to work with such an inspiring community. We look forward to more collaborations that harness the power of art to build stronger, more connected communities. If you are interested in doing something similar with your group, please reach out to us at orders@piecebypiece.org.
Stay tuned for more updates on our projects and the unveiling of the completed mosaic at the REDF offices!