A Mosaic Moment
By Olivia Bertino
Staff Writer
A historic building on the corner of 5th Street and Main Avenue has a new name, but the same mission. Formerly the Museum of Visual Materials, Mosaic Arts and Events is a nonprofit dedicated to creation and expression through art.
Mosaic Art & Events is located at 500 N. Main Ave. in downtown Sioux Falls. (Submitted Photo)
The quartzite and brick building was purchased by Rose Faithe in 2005, and the Museum opened in 2007. Her vision was for a space where others could come and enjoy articles from her personal collection while also partaking in low-cost activities like arts and crafts. Now, the space is primarily used as an event venue and for art classes for all ages.
Because the space no longer served as a visual museum, the nonprofit’s board and executive director, Deanna Parker, decided it was time for a rebrand in October 2024.
“ We've got all these different building materials in our building and in our courtyard with all these different stones, so physically we are kind of like a mosaic put together,” Parker said. “And then with our services, it's like a lot of individually beautiful pieces put together to make one cohesive picture.”
From that concept, Mosaic Arts and Events was born.
With a new name, Mosaic is ramping up its offerings to the community with new classes and events.
“ This summer is going to be the best summer for adult classes that we've ever had,” Education Director Anna Hudelson said.
Classes this summer include a pottery class taught by Michelle Hoffman, watercolor classes by Katie Aman, dance classes by Helen Andrade with Stepping Out Dance and various adult art classes by Breanna Rechtenbaugh.
“In each of their areas, they're all more like experts. So it's not just Anna trying to learn and be an expert in all these different mediums,” Parker said.
Not only does this mean that each of Mosaic’s classes are led by experienced instructors, but it also provides financial support and visibility to local artists.
“ The more exposure, the better,” Andrade said. “[Mosaic’s] clients are naturally going to be the kind of client that I'm looking for. A lot of the business that I do is focused on weddings and preparing people with wedding choreography. So I think it's a good match between the two of us.”
Andrade’s class will focus on foxtrot and help couples learn the basics of ballroom dancing, like leading, following and turning the steps into a choreographed routine.
“My two great loves are teaching and ballroom dancing, so I'm combining the best of both worlds,” Andrade said. “I love every moment of what I do, and it's real special when it's somebody's wedding.”
In addition to outside instructors, Hudelson teaches classes at Mosaic Monday through Wednesday and goes out into the community to teach various classes to retirement homes, elementary schools and other social programs. Hudelson’s classes serve a mix of homeschoolers, preschoolers, field trips and adults with disabilities.
Most of the supplies at Mosaic are donated, so part of Hudelson’s job includes finding unique and creative ways to use those materials for projects.
“ I like it when [the students] can be creative and pick what the outcome is going to be, and they can use their imagination,” Hudelson said. “One person is going to make a firefighter and the other person is going to make a whale, whether it’s clay or drawing.”
Hudelson will also use the materials to create take-home craft kits. These range from clay creations to drawing to painted wooden decor.
When Mosaic isn’t bustling with different classes, the space is rented out for events. The building can seat 250 or hold 300 for standing room, and there are not a lot of requirements for outside vendors.
“ Pretty much any kind of event that you'd want to have, we will welcome here,” Parker said. “We're pretty flexible with a lot of other things, and we just want people to come in and make the event their own and celebrate in our space.”
The arts and events go hand in hand. Rentals help fund Mosaic’s art classes, projects and events. While Mosaic has gone through some changes in the last few years, it still has the same mission that Rose Faithe envisioned for the building when she purchased it 20 years ago. At Mosaic, everyone has access to art.
“ That's our mission, is to make sure everybody can have access to creativity,” Parker said.
Discover what’s happening at Mosaic Art & Events by following its upcoming events schedule and current offerings in-studio at the venue's website.