Art Specialty: Visual Art, Mixed Media, Mosaics

Annette Cossentine, 10125 Zackery Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28277, 704-544-0028. Self-taught mosaic artist. In high school I made several mosaics for art class. One was chosen to be hung in the lobby of the high school. In 2000, after a trip to Italy, my love for mosaics was rekindled and I began doing projects to enhance my skills. I began alla bizantina mosaics in 2000 and shortly thereafter received my first commission - Bev's Underwater World. I joined SAMA, the Society of American Mosaic Artists in 2001. They held their first juried exhibition that fall and my piece, Etruscan Frieze? Was chose to be in the show. In 2002 another juried show was held and my piece, Venetian Floor Highlight I? was chosen. I continue to remain active in SAMA. It's a great way to dialogue with other mosaicists. I have since joined BAMM, British Association of Modern Mosaic and the International Association of Contemporary Mosaicists. I have created many art mosaics (my own designs) and commissions since. My most recent and fulfilling commission - and first public art commission - was working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. They contacted the Synergy Group who contacted me to design and create 2 floor mosaics for a Visitors Center on I-75 (Alligator Alley) outside of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Each mosaic is approximately 6' x 6' in size. This Visitors Center has over 500,000 visitors each year. The FFWC wanted a natural history? depiction of the Everglades and the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. I studied the flora and fauna of the Everglades and submitted sketches to the FFWC biologists for review. I created the mosaics in my studio, on mesh, and transported them down to the site for installation. I just completed a contemporary piece entitled Bellue? for submission in 2 upcoming juried exhibitions. (Slides were not ready for inclusion in this submittal but photos are viewable on my website.)