Great Mosaic Wall of Zacatlan, Mexico
by Thaddeus Tripp Ressler

Gathered under tarps for the inevitable afternoon rain shower, artists break, form, and place a variety of tiles that have been bought and donated to the project. Tourists slowly meander by, paying compliments to the artists. The word heard most often is "felicidades" or congratulations. Most times either Mary Carmen Olvera Trejo or Trish Metzner, the two artistic and organizing powerhouses behind the entire project, will intercept them with a big hello before they even say anything. When there are no tourists though, the artists, including many fine Mexican painters like Miguel Díaz-Guererro, are laser focused, holding oddly shaped pieces up to the hole they're trying to fill, turning it to see if the new angle might afford them a better shape in the leftover space. Searching for matching colors or textures can sometimes prove to be a sport of aggravating proportion and cause the occasional harrumph. Everyone stays in good spirits though, and the friendly people of Zacatlan make it easy. Their cheer and bright smiles make it a pleasure to work on the mural or just walk down the street.