Oct. 10, 2024

A downtown venue is rebranding to better represent what it does.

The Museum of Visual Materials now will be known as Mosaic Arts and Events.

“We are stepping into a new era,” events manager Claire Litzen said of the change for the 17-year-old nonprofit. “Our mission is a place for people to learn, play, create and celebrate.”

The name is a nod to everything that happens in the historic space at 500 N. Main Ave.

Mosaic will continue to offer art classes year-round for preschool through high school, including art history and technique. It also offers classes for adults with disabilities and evening art classes for the general public.

On Thursdays through Sundays, the space primarily is rented for events – everything from corporate parties to anniversaries to private events, Litzen said.

Kristy Laue, board president, said the name shows how multifacted the nonprofit is.

“What we loved about ‘Mosaic’ is that it represents different parts and pieces coming together to form a bigger masterpiece. It also ties to our art mission,” Laue said.

While Mosaic wants to continue to be known as a premier event space, its also wants to draw more attention to the art mission, she said.

“Because our previous name categorized us as a museum, a lot of people in the community have been unclear about who we are and what we do. And I don’t blame them! But moving forward, this new name will help clarify our mission and help grow our art outreach,” Laue said. “We also offer our space at a discount to other nonprofits to host events, so I love that we can continue to be a place for the community to come together to do good.”

Litzen agrees. “Mosaic is about pieces coming together to create something special,” she said, noting that the space still honors the vision of its founder. “We just want to be a little clearer about what the mission is and continue to support Dr. Rose Faithe’s vision for this building.”

Faithe was a physician at Avera McKennan who also was a collector, amassing more than 4,000 books, 80,000 sewing buttons, antique dolls, numerous sewing machines and countless craft items.

Her dream to share that with others took the form of the museum, which opened in 2007.

Litzen said the classes held there are particularly popular with the homeschool community.

“There is such a need for arts education and affordable education,” she said. “We believe art brings the community together.”

Mosaic plans to offer pottery classes in the evening for adults as well, she said.

Rentals of the event space help fund the arts programming, Litzen said. “People can feel really great and confident about booking their events here, knowing part of the money they put down goes directly into this local nonprofit.”

The event space can seat 232 guests, and Mosaic offers bar services and can serve beer and wine. There also is a large outdoor courtyard available.

“Our main mission is to provide low-cost, affordable art classes for the community, and hosting events helps us fund and share that mission,” Laue said. “We’re also unique because of our gorgeous historical building, which is a LEED platinum certified green building. So not only is it beautiful with charm and history, but it’s environmentally sound for the future.”

Deanna Parker, executive director, said the historic building offers a glimpse back to 1887.

“Events in the building don’t look like events in any other location in town. Our walls, floors and ceilings aren’t like anywhere else,” Parker said, noting that even the architecture contributes to the meaning of the name Mosaic. “The building and courtyard are a variety of materials, textures and colors that create a full image together.”

Parker sees Mosaic continuing to grow and expand its art offerings.

“We want to be known as a place for all ages and abilities to create and learn about art at a low cost. We would also love to host more nonprofit organizations in our event hall and collaborate with them to make their events special and successful.”