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Ukrainian community project 2025

Published by gertrud

Mosaic production team: from left
Marianna Falkova, Director Ukraine House Waschington DC, Kim Ward & Gertrud Müller, MosaicMoments Team, Oksana Markarowa, Ambassador of Ukraine to USA, Oleksandra Sienik – Projekt Manager Ukraine House

On May 15th, in celebration of World Vyshyvanka Day (Vyshyvanka is the Ukrainian word for Embroidery), Ukraine House in Washington, D.C. hosted the grand opening of the Ukrainian Embroidery Mosaic. Unveiled alongside the Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S., Oksana Markarova, the mosaic stands as a powerful tribute to Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage and deep-rooted tradition of embroidery art in the country.

Each embroidery pattern within the mosaic was individually created by a member of the community, designed in the style of regional Ukrainian embroidery to reflect the nation’s diverse artistic traditions. Every pattern was reviewed and approved by an ethnographer from the National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine, ensuring historical and cultural accuracy.

The mosaic is geographically arranged—from the Lutsk region in the northwest at the top left, to Crimea in the southeast at the bottom right—forming a visual map of Ukraine through the language of textile art. This intricate work, composed of 25,000 stones and brought to life by more than 30 contributors, is a testament to unity, resilience, and the beauty of the Ukraine.

Ukraine House serves as a home away from home for Ukrainians—a welcoming space where community, culture, and heritage are preserved, celebrated, and shared. Having lived in Kyiv from 2006 to 2012, I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Ukraine House on this meaningful project.

Ukrainian Embroidery Mosaic Inauguration at Vyshyvanka Day May 15 2025, photo collage by Kim Ward

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Installation in Takoma Park, Maryland

Published by gertrud

In collaboration with the Takoma Montessori School community, students, teachers, and families came together to design and create geometric motif tiles inspired by the school’s mission. Rooted in the principles of Montessori education—which fosters curiosity, independence, and a lifelong love of learning—this project reflects the vibrant spirit of the school in form and color.

The completed tiles are now permanently installed at the school’s entrance, offering a daily reminder of the creativity, unity, and dedication of the 20 families and 9 teachers who participated in the workshop. 

Attached is a video slideshow documenting the collaborative process, from initial beginnings to the final installation, celebrating the talented collective behind this meaningful work.

 

“This is so lovely! Amazing how these bright flashes of love transform these buildings” -Elana Bregin

 

 

DOMO 2025

Published by gertrud

The new Board of Directors from left to right: Gertrud Müller, Julia Mende, Claudia Benz, Rainer Bechthold, Gerti Kukuk, Tanja Lebski, Petra Zattler

On April 5, 2025, I was elected 2nd Chairwoman of the German Mosaic Art Organization (DOMO e.V.) in Frankfurt am Main during the annual general meeting.

Since 2023, I have been on the board of this association, which is dedicated to the dissemination and promotion of mosaic art and the networking of its members in German-speaking countries.

The association currently has over 180 members, 50 of whom attended the general meeting – a pleasing turnout.

We met at the Haus der Volksarbeit in Frankfurt. In addition to the necessary formalities of the association, there were lively discussions about DOMO’s involvement in the German Art Council and the representation of the association in social media.

There was a lot of networking during the breaks, people got to know each other and exchanged ideas.

However, the actual networking work mainly takes place in the regional groups. Since January I am leading the international DOMO Group with 12 German speaking members living in several counties.