REEF unveils community-built mosaic Textures of the Tide in Key Largo

A community-built mosaic titled "Textures of the Tide" made its public debut at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo during an Ocean After Hours artist reception hosted by REEF and Upper Keys Business Professional Women. The installation, guided by artist Sonata Kazimieraitiene of Sonata Mosaics, was created with contributions from Ocean Exploration Center visitors and is now on view in The Ocean Inspires exhibit area through August 2, 2026.

The work combines glazed ceramic, natural elements, and glass and includes colorful hand-sculpted clay sea creatures contributed by visitors. Keys Weekly captured the installation this way: "a glazed ceramic, natural elements, and glass mosaic created through a community art process guided by Kazimieraitiene. The installation brings together colorful sea creatures hand-sculpted from clay by Ocean Exploration Center visitors, assembled into a cohesive underwater ecosystem and framed by geometric glass tiles, inviting visitors to explore the textures, shapes, and surfaces inspired by coral reef life." The piece is framed by geometric glass tiles and intended to evoke the textures and surfaces of coral reef habitats.

The reception on Tuesday evening served as the formal launch of the mosaic and as an example of REEF’s community engagement model, which pairs hands-on workshops with rotating exhibits. REEF’s community art workshop invitation explained the participatory process: "Join ceramic artist Sonata of Sonata Mosaics for a hands-on community art workshop! Participants of all ages are invited to create their own mosaic piece, which will become part of a collaborative artwork displayed at The Ocean Inspires art exhibit at the Ocean Exploration Center in February. This free event is open to everyone - come get creative with us!" Organizers said admission to the reception was free and no registration was required.

Funding and sponsorship for the project came from a mix of public and private sources. REEF listed support from the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and private donations, and noted the reception was hosted in partnership with Upper Keys BPW. Those partners underscore how small grants and community donations can underwrite public programming that both educates and beautifies shared spaces.

For local residents, the mosaic is more than public art: it is a tangible product of community time and creativity that complements REEF’s marine conservation mission. The Ocean Exploration Center campus sits at Mile Marker 98.3 on Overseas Highway; the facility’s public contact line is 305-852-0030. Keys Weekly’s event listing also pointed readers toward REEF’s exhibit information and, in the capture of that listing, appended the phrase "a large building with a flag on top of it."

Textures of the Tide will remain on view through Aug. 2, giving residents and visitors months to study the tiles, locate pieces they or their neighbors contributed, and connect the tactile imagery to the region’s living reefs. The mosaic’s community origin and extended run mean it can serve as both an educational touchpoint for local conservation efforts and a draw for cultural tourism as the Keys continue to balance stewardship with economic activity.