Mount St. Joseph University Art Guild students honor the University's rich artistic heritage through four original mosaics that celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the lasting impact of student artists.
The Art Guild at Mount St. Joseph University has created a lasting artistic legacy through four original mosaics, now permanently displayed in the Dorothy Meyer Ziv Art Building. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Kurt Grannan, Art Guild students have explored the historic art of mosaic-making while contributing their own creative expressions to the University's artistic environment.
The mosaics connect today's students to a rich artistic tradition, particularly one with deep roots in Cincinnati and at Mount St. Joseph University. German-American artist Winold Reiss, whose iconic mosaics at Cincinnati's Union Terminal celebrate the region's history and working communities, demonstrated how mosaic art can transform architectural spaces into powerful visual narratives. His work continues to inspire artists to consider how public art can preserve history, celebrate identity, and connect communities.
Connecting to the Artistic Legacy of Mater Dei Chapel
Even closer to home, the magnificent mosaics in the University's Mater Dei Chapel provide a meaningful connection between generations of Mount artists. Completed in 1962, the chapel's interior furnishings, stained-glass windows, and liturgical artwork were designed through a remarkable collaboration involving six women: three Sisters of Charity, including Sister Augusta Zimmer, and three undergraduate art students, Margaret Rolfes Brungs, Judy Dettenwanger Ebbeler, and Marlene Hoffman.
Their work represents an extraordinary example of artistic mentorship and collaboration, demonstrating the University's longstanding commitment to providing students with opportunities to contribute meaningful works of art to the campus. The chapel's artistic environment reflects the integration of faith, craftsmanship, design, and education, creating a sacred space that continues to inspire visitors more than six decades later.
Much like the women who contributed to the creation of Mater Dei Chapel, today's Art Guild students are leaving their own artistic mark on the Mount. The four contemporary mosaics continue this tradition of student participation in the University's visual identity, connecting past and present through the enduring medium of mosaic art.
Four Mosaics, One Lasting Legacy
The four mosaics, created between 2022 and 2025, showcase the creativity and collaborative spirit of Mount St. Joseph University's Art Guild members:
- Pride of the Lion (2025) — Created by Lorelai Berta, this mosaic celebrates the spirit and identity of Mount St. Joseph University, reflecting the pride and sense of belonging shared by the Mount community.
- Koi Fish (2022) — Created collaboratively by the Art Guild, this mosaic explores the beauty of nature through the movement and colorful patterns of koi fish, demonstrating the group's shared artistic vision.
- Italian Plaza (2025) — Created by Kylee Adams and Dahlia Baer, this mosaic draws inspiration from architectural spaces and artistic traditions, celebrating the beauty of design and the influence of cultural heritage. Sister Augusta Zimmer designed the chapel and worked on the art building while she was studying in Florence, Italy. This mosaic is an homage to our first chair of the Art Department.
- Rose (2022) — Created by the Art Guild, this mosaic serves as a tribute to the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati and their longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship through EarthConnection. The rose symbolizes the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world while honoring the Sisters' dedication to sustainability, environmental education, and caring for God's creation. Through this work, Art Guild students recognize the important relationship between art, nature, and the mission of the Sisters of Charity, whose legacy continues to influence the Mount community.
Together, these four works reflect the diversity of artistic ideas, techniques, and personal expressions within the Art Guild. Their permanent installation ensures that the creative contributions of these students will remain visible to future generations of Mount artists.
Today's Students Continue the Tradition
Under Grannan's leadership, Art Guild members have experienced the collaborative process of designing and constructing mosaics, learning how individual pieces come together to create a unified composition. The projects celebrate not only artistic skill but also teamwork, patience, creative problem-solving, and the importance of creating art that becomes part of a community's shared history.
The permanent installation of the four mosaics in the Dorothy Meyer Ziv Art Building represents more than a student art project. It reflects the University's commitment to honoring student creativity and ensuring that their artistic contributions become part of the campus environment.
From the historic mosaics of Winold Reiss to the artistic achievements of Sister Augusta Zimmer and the undergraduate women who helped shape Mater Dei Chapel, Mount St. Joseph University continues to celebrate the power of art to connect generations.
The Department of Creative Arts invites students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors to explore the four Art Guild mosaics in the Dorothy Meyer Ziv Art Building and discover how today's student artists are continuing a creative tradition that has shaped the Mount for generations.