Salida Mosaic Art Bench Projects

Two benches are being provided to the artist to create a fused glass mosaic. The layout will be a giant puzzle-piece — meaning each tile has an exact location and no two pieces are alike. It is expected to have the installation completed by June 2027 (or sooner!).

Follow along with the page “Salida Mosaic Bench Projects”. Project updates and progress images will be available to see how the project unfolds.

“Salida Magnetic Field”: Where Glass, Science, and the Street Meet

Some forces can’t be seen—but their patterns can be felt. Magnetism pulls. Quantum physics unsettles the familiar. And color, when it moves across a public space, can make an ordinary walk feel like a small discovery.

“Salida Magnetic Field” brings that sense of motion into a pair of mosaic bench projects selected for installation in Salida. The benches will sit across the street from one another, connected by a continuous visual language of bright blue, yellow, and green. Their fused-glass shapes will fit together like puzzle pieces, creating a lively image that seems to travel from one side of the street to the other.

The concept draws on images of electromagnetic fields and quantum phenomena: energy gathering, shifting, and radiating outward. Rather than treating each bench as a separate object, the design lets the glass tiles work together—each shape contributing to a larger composition. From nearby, the eye can follow the seams and individual pieces. From farther away, the colors and patterns become a single, flowing field.

Public art has to do more than catch the light. It has to meet the weather, the seasons, and the steady rhythm of daily life. A durable porcelain kickplate will protect the base from snow removal and foot traffic, giving the artwork a practical foundation as well as a vivid one. The result is designed to be both eye-catching and ready for its place outdoors.

There is something fitting about bringing ideas from physics into a bench: a place to pause, observe, and let the world move around you. The glass invites a closer look, while the larger design rewards anyone who notices how the two benches speak across the street.

Installation is scheduled before June 2027. Until then, “Salida Magnetic Field” is taking shape as a meeting point between fused glass, scientific wonder, and the everyday landscape of Salida. 

Let's talk about the Magic of Glass

There’s a certain magic in transforming raw materials into something both beautiful and functional. In the studio, technical mastery is at the heart of every piece—whether it’s kiln-firing layers of glass to capture the movement of water, or engineering a clever solution like a handmade mousetrap for the workspace.

Glass art begins with careful observation and planning. Each piece is built up through multiple firings, with temperatures precisely controlled to fuse colors and textures without sacrificing strength. The process demands patience: from cutting and layering the glass, to monitoring the kiln as it cycles through hours of heat and gradual cooling. Stainless steel frameworks are welded by hand, ensuring that every sculpture or panel is as durable as it is luminous.

That same inventive approach extends beyond the artwork. Sometimes, the studio calls for practical solutions—like designing a custom mousetrap to keep the creative space in harmony. It’s a reminder that artistry isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about problem-solving, experimentation, and a willingness to get hands-on with every challenge.

Whether crafting a vibrant orb or a simple tool for the studio, the process is rooted in curiosity and technical skill. Each creation—artwork or mousetrap—reflects a commitment to quality, ingenuity, and the enduring spirit of making.

Take a look at the website AnnieMarie Design.  Enjoy a taste of really imaginative glass work!