The Kentucky Mirror Mosaic in downtown Owensboro is currently about 50% complete, and artist Gary Bielefeld said he hopes to put the finishing touches on by the end of the summer.
The original mosaic — constructed to look like a map of Kentucky — was created by Bielefeld 40 years ago. Over time, a chemical reaction between the silver and glue used to piece the mosaic together caused pieces of the mural to break and fall off.
That won’t happen this time around, Bielefeld said.
“This one will definitely be better than the first one, but it will have the same effect,” he said. “It’ll still sparkle as you drive by it.”
The six geographical regions of Kentucky will be featured on the mosaic, and blue and white lights will line the border — complementing the new lights installed on the Glover H. Cary Bridge.
Right now, Bielefeld is working on the western coalfield region, where Owensboro is located.
“It’s a little difficult, and I knew this one was going to take longer than the first one,” he said. “But I said, ‘Let’s go long and have a better product.’”
Bielefeld claimed the project was currently a year behind, but the pandemic prevented him from accepting volunteers to help place, lift and glue the pieces of glass together. Working alone this time around, Bielefeld said the mural has become a passion project for him.
“This is my Sistine Chapel,” he said.
Weather patterns also affect the mural’s progress. On a cloudless day, Bielefeld said the reflection of the sun makes it too hot to work. Strong winds have caused problems as well. Just last week, wing gusts of 30 miles per hour caused the lift Bielefeld uses to nearly blow over.
“It’s been optimal recently, when it’s cool,” he said. “I work four or five hours at a time.”
Obtaining better tools — such as a battery-powered caulking gun — has also helped speed up the process.
Though Bielefeld has primarily worked alone he said that every now and then a family with children will stop by to see him work. Sometimes he lets the kids put on a pair of gloves and stick a piece of glass “wherever they want to.”
If all goes well, Bielefeld said he hopes to complete the project as early as this summer. At the latest, it could be the end of this year.
