Tilesetter Apprentices Craft & Donate Mosaic Mural for Missouri Department of Conservation

In late January 2021, Apprentices from our Tile, Marble & Terrazzo Workers' Union Local 18 of Missouri Apprenticeship Program crafted and delivered a handmade mosaic tile recreation of the Missouri Department of Conservation logo in a wooden frame.  The mosaic logo project is currently on display in the main entry foyer of the MDC St. Louis regional office.

The mosaic logo was crafted by a group of apprentices and donated to MDC. Amateur woodworker Matt Mauger created the frame. 18 of Apprentices contributed about 40 total work hours to bring the project to fruition. These Apprentices were a mix of tile setters, terrazzo mechanics and finishers, along with marble and granite top installers.

Local 18 Apprenticeship Coordinator Charlie Reiter explained that one of the goals of the projects was to teach the art of mosaic creation to the Apprentice craftsmen, as well as precision, problem-solving, teamwork, and project planning. These skills will be applicable to other precision work within all of our branches of trade, like granite work, marble tops, and terrazzo work.

[caption caption="Terrazzo Finisher Apprentice Nick Hardwick (Missouri Terrazzo) and Residential Top Installer Apprentice Kwayera Jackson (Metro Marble & Granite) are shown working on the mosaic project."][/caption]

Th project started with enlarging and printing a photo of the MDC logo, then placing a layer of mesh on top. After the initial setup, the Apprentices began the precision work of custom shaping every mosaic tile using cutters, then securing each one into place with tweezers and glue. “Every piece is different, and you have to line them up precisely and make sure each one fits,” explained Christian Moore, a seven-month Apprentice indentured to Trademark Stone.

The finished piece was presented by Local #18 Apprentice Coordinator/Instructor Charlie Reiter and two of the Apprentices who helped make the mosaic logo: Nick Hardwick (Missouri Terrazzo) and Christian Moore (Trademark Stone.)  Accepting the gift was MDC Regional Administrator Julianne Stone and Regional Infrastructure Maintenance Supervisor Mike Norris.