Austin Mosaics: A Self-Guided Tour of Public Art
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ustin’s public mosaics turn the city into an open-air gallery, weaving together history, culture, and community pride. From the team that brought you the book ATX Urban Art, here is a digital guide to 20+ public mosaic murals and sculptures that tell the stories of our city.
Whether you’re a local or a visitor, use this guide to discover some of Austin’s most striking and meaningful mosaic installations — organized by area so you can plan your own self-guided tour.
Mosaics in Central Austin
Reflections on the Brazos, by Ryah Christensen, Image by Philip Rogers
Reflections on the Brazos
By: Ryah Christensen
What: A 100 ft. long sidewalk mosaic from 2015 made from glass, stone, and steel.
Where: E 2nd St & Brazos St, Downtown Austin. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: This mosaic transforms the sidewalk into a vivid, flowing story of the Brazos River through its striking color and intricate detail. Inspired by poetry and petroglyphs, its abstract forms suggest herds, hills, and waterways—honoring the people and animals who shaped the river’s legacy.
Deep Eddy Mural Project by Wanda Montemayor and Lisa Orr, Image by Justin Ebel
Deep Eddy Mural Project
By: Wanda Montemayor and Lisa Orr
What: Completed in 2011, this 1,200-square-foot mosaic is made of handmade ceramic tile and mirror.
Where: Deep Eddy Pool, 401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin, TX 78703. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Built over five years with the help of local schools, nonprofits, and hundreds of volunteers, this community mosaic mural wraps around the perimeter of the historic Deep Eddy Pool and celebrates its 100-year legacy through historic photos reborn in tile.
La Mujer, by J Muzacz
La Mujer
By: J Muzacz
What: Completed in 2022, this two-sided mosaic mural measures 6 by 24 feet and is crafted from stained glass, vitreous glass, and ceramic tile.
Where: Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St, Austin, TX 78701. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Standing at the entrance to Austin’s Mexican American Cultural Center, La Mujer celebrates Chicana and Latina leaders through bold forms and vibrant color. Created in collaboration with the Caminos Teen Leadership Program, this mosaic mural honors community matriarchs and serves as a powerful symbol of cultural pride and empowerment.
We All Ride by J Muzacz, Image by Tony Moreno
We All Ride
By: J Muzacz, project of The Mosaic Workshop
What: Completed in 2023, We All Ride is a mosaic mural diptych made of vitreous glass spanning 8 x 30ft and 8 x 24ft.
Where: 498 W 18th St, Austin, TX (Corner of 18th St. and San Antonio Ave.) Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Created with the help of Austin’s cycling community and The Mosaic Workshop, We All Ride honors the sense of connection that comes from riding side by side. More than 75,000 tiles were hand-placed by volunteers, transforming the mural into a powerful tribute to movement, unity, and the joy of riding together.
Mosaics in East Austin
Detail of Rhapsody by John Yancey, Image by Justin Ebel
Rhapsody
By: John Yancey with Steven Jones and Luis Alicea
What: Completed in 2003, this 50-foot-long mosaic mural is crafted from ceramic tile.
Where: Urdy Plaza, 1021 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Commissioned during the East 11th Street revitalization, Rhapsody celebrates East Austin’s rich jazz and blues legacy while acknowledging the pressures of change. By weaving historic imagery into a vibrant mosaic, it ensures this cultural heritage remains a visible, permanent part of the landscape despite gentrification’s impact.
Detail of Sankofa by Reji Thomas, Image by Justin Ebel
Sankofa
By: Reji Thomas
What: Completed in 2004, this 50-foot mixed-media mosaic mural is crafted from stone, glass, ceramic, and metal.
Where: Urdy Plaza, 1021 East 11th Street, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Why it Stands Out: Positioned opposite John Yancey’s Rhapsody, Sankofa urges reflection on the past to build a better future. Featuring a spiraling tree of life, a church, and a 3D trolley, this mixed-media mosaic reminds viewers that learning from history is essential to shaping tomorrow.
Let Every Man Sit Under His Vine and None Shall Make Him Afraid by Ryah Christensen, Image by Justin Ebel
Let Every Man Sit Under His Vine and None Shall Make Him Afraid
By: Ryah Christensen
What: A 2007 mosaic mural measuring 11 ft x 11 ft using stained glass and stone.
Where: 911 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Titled from a biblical verse, this mural symbolizes peace, justice, and equality. Installed at the Robertson Hill Apartments on East 11th Street, it reflects both the promise and challenges of revitalization, acknowledging the generations who lived and labored here while reminding us that our futures remain deeply connected.
Detail of Reflections by Reginald Adams, Image by Justin Ebel
Reflections
By: Reginald Adams
What: Completed in 2013, this mosaic mural is crafted from glass and porcelain tile, measuring 7 feet high by 26 feet long.
Where: African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, 912 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Located at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility, this community mosaic honors those who shaped East Austin. It features Huston-Tillotson University alongside portraits of influential figures like William T. Dedrick and state legislator Wilhelmina Delco, celebrating their legacy while inspiring future generations.
Gandhi and La Virgen by Stefanie Distefano, Image by Justin Ebel
Gandhi and La Virgen
By: Stefanie Distefano
What: Completed in 2012, this project features two mosaics crafted from mirror and custom rose-shaped ceramic.
Where: 98 Chicon St, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Part of the “Pay Phone Revival Project” of the early 2010’s, these two mosaics of Mahatma Gandhi and The Virgin of Guadalupe surround a public phone on the side of a gas station, turning an everyday object into an unexpected encounter with art.
Roosevelt “Grey Ghost” Williams by J Muzacz, Carmen Rangel, and The Mosaic Workshop, Image by Tony Moreno
Roosevelt “Grey Ghost” Williams
By: J Muzacz & Carmen Rangel, project of The Mosaic Workshop
What: A 2019 mural measuring 12x16 feet, made from vitreous glass, stained glass, mirror, and ceramic tile. Custom ceramic plaque by Hope Hummingbird.
Where: Mosaic Mural Open Air Gallery in Holly Commons, 2320 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: This mural honors Austin blues legend Roosevelt ‘Grey Ghost’ Williams — a prolific barrelhouse pianist who played for 70 years and was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame — and marks the first community mosaic led by The Mosaic Workshop.
Ana Sisnett by J Muzacz, Carmen Rangel, and The Mosaic Workshop, Image by Tony Moreno
Ana Sisnett
By: J Muzacz & Carmen Rangel, project of The Mosaic Workshop
What: Completed in 2021, this 9-by-15-foot mosaic mural is crafted from recycled glass, ceramic, and porcelain.
Where: Mosaic Mural Open Air Gallery in Holly Commons, 2320 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Created with local nonprofit Latinitas and The Mosaic Workshop, this community mosaic mural honors Ana Sisnett — writer, educator, and founder of Austin Free-Net, known for bringing internet access into Austin’s public schools.
ArtsResponders by J Muzacz, Carmen Rangel, and The Mosaic Workshop, Image by Justin Ebel
ArtsResponders
By: J Muzacz & Carmen Rangel, project of The Mosaic Workshop
What: Completed in 2021, this 10-by-14-foot mosaic mural is made from recycled ceramic, glass, and mirror.
Where: Mosaic Mural Open Air Gallery in Holly Commons, 2320 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Commissioned during the pandemic as part of a citywide public art initiative, this mosaic reflects resilience and the role of art in community healing. Built from recycled materials, it began as a public reminder of safety and evolved into a lasting memorial for those lost to COVID-19.
Under the Same Sun by Carmen Rangel and The Mosaic Workshop, Image by Tony Moreno
Under the Same Sun
By: Carmen Rangel, project of The Mosaic Workshop
What: Completed in 2024, this 9-by-16-foot collaborative mosaic mural is composed of stained glass and ceramic, with a background made of 100% recycled materials.
Where: Mosaic Mural Open Air Gallery in Holly Commons, 2320 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Created through a collaborative process led by Carmen Rangel and The Mosaic Workshop, this vibrant mural embodies unity under a shared sky, with a hummingbird at its heart symbolizing joy, resilience, and connection to nature.
Field of Dreams by Reginald Adams, Image by Justin Ebel
Field of Dreams
By: Reginald Adams
What: Completed in 2016, this collection of five free-standing mosaic murals is crafted from ceramic tile and stands 10 feet high by 35 feet long.
Where: Downs Field, 2816 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702 (corner of 12th St & Alexander Ave). Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Located at historic Downs Field, once home to the Austin Black Senators in the 1920s, these mosaic portraits honor five major league players for their talent and perseverance, celebrating baseball and the community’s cultural legacy.
Like Water by J Muzacz & Polis, Image by Tony Moreno
Like Water
By: J Muzacz & Polis
What: Created in 2021, this 8-by-80-foot installation wraps the Rosewood Pool building with 15 round “portholes,” each 2–4 feet wide, crafted from vitreous glass mosaic, steel frames, and dynamic LED lighting.
Where: Rosewood Neighborhood Park, 2300 Rosewood Ave, Austin, TX 78702.
Google Maps | J Muzacz | PolisWhy it Stands Out: Installed at Rosewood Park Pool, Like Water combines mosaic, steel, and dynamic LED lighting to evoke the feeling of being underwater. Featuring portraits of community members playfully submerged, its 15 illuminated portholes transform the pool into a glowing landmark after dark.
Nessy by Dixie Friend Gay, Image by C. Hearon
Nessy
By: Dixie Friend Gay
What: A glass and ceramic mosaic sculpture from 2014, standing 16 ft tall and 30 ft long.
Where: Thinkery, 1830 Simond Ave, Austin, TX. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Located in front of the Thinkery children’s museum at Mueller Lake Park, the sculpture of a sea creature named Nessy sparks curiosity for kids and adults alike, perfectly complementing the museum’s mission of hands-on learning.
Flamingo Mitote by Stefanie Distefano, Image by Justin Ebel
Flamingo Mitote
By: Stefanie Distefano
What: Created in 2012, this mosaic mural is made of recycled mirror and handmade ceramic.
Where: Patterson Neighborhood Pool, 4200 Brookview Rd, Austin, TX 78722
Google Maps | Learn MoreWhy it Stands Out: Featuring a reflective rose-patterned background and handmade ceramic roses forming two flamingos, this detailed mural transforms a pool equipment shed into a joyful neighborhood landmark.
Pride and Glory by Rose Toro, Image by C. Hearon
Pride and Glory
By: Rose Toro
What: This 2022 mosaic mural is made of stained glass and ceramic tile.
Where: Southwest Key Programs, 6002 Jain Ln, Austin, TX 78721
Google Maps | Learn MoreWhy it Stands Out: Dedicated to all Texas veterans and their families, this monument serves as a site of remembrance in East Austin. The mosaic depicts active-duty service members, Navy ships, and an American flag, honoring sacrifice and service on land and sea.
Mosaics in South Austin
Your Essential Magnificence by James Talbot, Image by Justin Ebel
Your Essential Magnificence
By: James Talbot
What: A colorful mosaic sculpture created in 2011 out of ferrocement, ceramic tile, and embedded objects from iconic South Austin locations.
Where: 108 W Live Oak St, South Congress (SoCo), Austin, TX. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Talbot is a beloved Austin artist whose immersive installations and iconic Casa Neverlandia inspire curiosity and invite viewers to reconnect with their sense of wonder. Your Essential Magnificence reflects his playful yet profound philosophy — reminding us to pause and celebrate the magnificence within us all.
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood by Ryah Christensen & Southern Oaks Neighborhood Association
It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
By: Ryah Christensen & Southern Oaks Neighborhood Association
What: Completed in 2023, this 140-foot mosaic mural made of handmade ceramic and glass stretches along a retaining wall in South Austin’s Southern Oaks neighborhood.
Where: 5207-5103 Buffalo Pass (between Jones Rd and Fair Oaks Dr.), Austin, TX 78745. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Created by over 200 community members through the City of Austin’s Neighborhood Partnering Program, this whimsical mural captures the spirit of Southern Oaks with colorful scenes of families, homes, and wildlife. Each handmade tile tells a personal story, forming a joyful mosaic representing community and connection.
Mosaics in North AuStin
Community Seed Pods by Dianne Sonnenberg
Community Seed Pods
By: Dianne Sonnenberg
What: Completed in 2023, this mosaic installation features five concrete seed pod sculptures adorned with Mexican smalti and fused glass.
Where: Spicewood Park, Anderson Mill Rd & Olson Dr, Austin, TX 78750. Google Maps | Artist Website
Why it Stands Out: Community Seed Pods symbolizes how children are nurtured within the community before venturing out into the world. The fused glass “seeds” were made together with 100+ volunteers during workshops hosted by Helios Fused Glass Studio. This is the first public art project in its district—and a true collaboration by and for the community.
Detail of Wall of Welcome, by Jean Graham
Wall of Welcome
By: Jean Graham
What: Completed in 2008, this 120-foot-long mosaic mural is made from thousands of handmade ceramic tiles.
Where: 7100 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Created over five years, the Wall of Welcome was a project uniting longtime residents and new neighbors in the Crestview and Brentwood communities. More than 200 participants crafted handmade tiles for this mosaic mural, which honors the local businesses, parks, churches, and generations of people who have shaped the neighborhood’s story.
The Heartbeat of Austin, by J Muzacz, Image by Tony Moreno
The Heartbeat of Austin
By: J Muzacz, project of The Mosaic Workshop
What: Completed in 2024, this 80-foot community mosaic mural is composed of more than 100,000 pieces of vitreous glass tiles.
Where: McKalla CapMetro Station at Q2 Stadium, 110414 Mc Kalla Pl, Austin, TX 78758. Google Maps | Learn More
Why it Stands Out: Inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of Austin FC’s supporter groups, this 600-square-foot mosaic depicts the faces of community members—including CapMetro staff and fans—who helped bring it to life. Completed with the help of more than 200 volunteers, it stands as CapMetro’s largest public art installation and a vibrant celebration of Austin’s unity and creative spirit.
see austin’s mosaics
Austin’s mosaics aren’t just works of art — they’re living stories permanently installed into the city’s landscape. By taking a self-guided tour through these neighborhoods, you’ll experience the creativity, resilience, and cultural pride that define the community. Whether you pause at a single mural or explore them all, each mosaic offers a reminder that art can honor the past, inspire the present, and shape the future of Austin.
If you’re interested in helping create the next mosaic mural in Austin, sign up for The Mosaic Workshop’s newsletter below to be notified of the next volunteer opportunity. It takes a community to create a mosaic mural, and we welcome you to contribute a piece to Austin’s visual history!
