SUMMARY
As a licensed contractor and accomplished mosaics artist, I bring over 40 years of experience to the creation of captivating, nature-inspired murals and tile installations. I transform fragments of tile and glass into beautiful works of art, beautifying public spaces, educational campuses, and private residences. My work, designed with a focus on quality and community impact, enhances urban landscapes and fosters a sense of pride and connection. Through collaboration with civic leaders, developers, and architects, I help shape spaces that inspire and uplift.
PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS
Panda Mosaic II (2024) – Lincoln Elementary School, Oakland, CA A 13' x 16' mosaic mural on the Caroline Yee Memorial Building. This outdoor panorama depicts a serene bamboo rainforest, memorializing a beloved local educator and blending Chinese and Californian cultural elements.
Five Story Butterfly Mosaic "Metamorphosis" (2023) - Monarch Homes, Oakland, CA This large-scale installation features 12 monarch butterflies gracing the façade of a five-story affordable housing complex, ranging in size from 3’ to 7’, symbolizing transformation and hope.
Bell Tower Restoration (2021) - Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, Burlingame, CA Reconstructed a ninety-year-old mosaic on a bell-shaped cupola, replicating the original intricate design with locally sourced porcelain tiles for the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Retaining Wall Mosaics "Soñando el Camino" (2019) - Melrose Leadership Academy, Oakland, CA Created four panels covering nearly 60 feet of a 30” high retaining wall. These mosaics depict monarch butterflies and local wildflowers, celebrating the beauty of the surrounding environment.
Egrets Mosaic (2024) - Satellite Affordable Housing Associates, Albany, CA Two large egrets rise from the wetlands in this 11' x 13' mosaic, transforming the exterior of an affordable housing complex into a celebration of local wildlife.
Water Fountain Mosaics "Uhai" (2020) – Emeryville & Oakland, CA Mosaic surrounds the water fountains at an elementary school, depicting African wetland scenes that the honor lion school Mascot.
Trash Can Mosaics (2013-present) – Various locations throughout Oakland, CA Designed over 130 mosaics for public trash cans, transforming urban spaces with abstract and nature- inspired themes. Locations include Telegraph Avenue, Lake Merritt, KONO Business District, and Chinatown.
Otter's Delight (2018) – La Escuelita Elementary School, Oakland, CA A 4’ x 20’ outdoor mosaic featuring the school’s mascot, a sea otter, which was expanded with additional panels to total 60 square feet.
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Fast Friends (2018) – Emeryville Center for Community Life, Emeryville, CA A 9' x 5' mosaic surrounds the school's water fountain, depicting local wetland life and its connection to the school's history.
PRIV
ATE ART COMMISSIONS
Venado (
2019) Private Commission, 30" x 36"
A wall-hanging mosaic depicting a playful deer in a desert landscape filled with cacti, reflecting the joy and vitality of the Southwest.
Costa R
esidence (2017) Berkeley, CA
A vibrant tropical rainforest scene featuring macaws, flowers, and butterflies, designed for a kitchen backsplash.
DeBar
e Residence (2016) Berkeley, CA
Created a 10' x 10' mural of two great egrets framed by wisteria vines for an outdoor wall, blending nature with modern architecture.
TEACHI
NG AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Tennyson Hi
gh School Mosaic Project (2015-2017) Hayward, CA Worked with high school students to create an 18’ x 300’ undulating mosaic wall. Each student contributed a section, making the project a reflection of collective creativity.
Park D
ay School Mosaic (2017) Oakland, CA
Taught mosaic techniques to students who then designed and built panels for the school's entrance, fostering artistic engagement.
TECHNI
CAL EXPERTISE AND SKILL
Licens
ed Contractor (CA License No. 1000248
Masterful tile and mosaic installations using a variety of materials (porcelain, ceramic, and stone) Expertise in public art and community-engaged projects, including large-scale outdoor murals Strong collaboration with architects, contractors, and city planners Fluent in both creative design processes and technical installation procedures Deep knowledge of historical restoration of mosaics and tile work EDUCAT
ION
Univer
sity of Tulane – New Orleans, LA
BA in English and Anthropology
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Five Story Butterfly Mosaic (2023)- $35,000
Oakland, CA | Glass and Ceramic Mosaic
"Metamorphosis," a five-story mosaic on Monarch Homes, features twelve monarch butterflies ranging from 7' to 3'. It symbolizes transformation, hope, and growth, reflecting Oakland’s spirit of renewal and community resilience.
Bell Tower - Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church (2021)- $38,000 Burlingame, CA | Locally Sourced Porcelain Tiles
This mosaic restoration atop the 16’ tall bell-shaped cupola replicated a 90-year-old original. It preserved the historical integrity of the 100-foot bell tower while ensuring its structural and aesthetic longevity.
Water Fountain Mosaics (2020–2021)- $15,000
Emeryville & Oakland, CA | Ceramic Mosaic
"Uhai" at an elementary school features a 9' x 8' wetlands scene honoring the school's lion mascot. This interactive mural connects students to ecological and cultural narratives, enriching their educational environment.
Retaining Wall Mosaics (2019)- $25,000
Oakland, CA | Glass and Ceramic Mosaic
"Soñando El Camino" spans a 60' x 34” retaining wall outside a Spanish-immersion school. The design features monarch butterflies and wildflowers, celebrating Oakland’s ecological beauty and cultural diversity.
Egrets (2024)- $35,000
Albany, CA | Glass and Ceramic Mosaic
"Egrets Rising," an 11' x 13' mosaic for an affordable housing complex, depicts two egrets soaring from wetlands. It blends themes of environmental stewardship and urban resilience.
Panda Mosaic II (2024)- $53,000
Chinatown, Oakland, CA | Ceramic and Glass Mosaic
This 13' x 16' mural on the Caroline Yee Memorial Building features pandas in a tranquil bamboo forest. It honors Yee’s legacy and celebrates Chinatown's cultural heritage.
Venado (2019)- N/A
Private Collection | Ceramic and Glass Mosaic
"Venado," a 30” x 36” wall-hanging, depicts a blue deer spirit in a desert filled with peyote. This vibrant piece honors the sacred connection between nature and cultural traditions.
Chinatown Cultural Heritage Trash Cans (2015)- $9,600
Chinatown, Oakland, CA | Glass Mosaic
Eight mosaic-covered trash cans celebrate Chinatown's cultural heritage with bold designs of iconic stories and traditions. These public artworks transform functional objects into cultural landmarks.
Pacific Renaissance Plaza Planters (2019)- $40,000
Chinatown, Oakland, CA | Glass Mosaic
This project transformed 18” x 21’ planters into vibrant panels depicting the Chinese zodiac animals. The mosaics celebrate Chinatown’s cultural heritage and serve as a focal point of the plaza.
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Public Art Design Proposal: "Water is Life" Mosaic Bench Submitted by: New World Mosaics / Juan Lopez
Project Site: Corn Palace Park – 1142 Dahlia Court, Sunnyvale, CA Proposed Artwork Location: 64’L x 18”H seating wall
Mosaic Coverage: Approximately 40 linear feet, divided into 9 naturalistic sections
Artistic Vision:
This proposed mosaic installation, “Water is Life, ” draws inspiration from the rich agricultural legacy of the Corn Palace site and the essential life-giving properties of water.
The piece imagines the viewer standing at the edge of a meandering stream, visually integrated into the gentle wave-like architecture of the park’s low seating wall. The scene celebrates the rhythm and diversity of natural waterways, blending artistic interpretation with joyful, nature-based storytelling.
Design & Materials:
The mosaic will be composed of porcelain, shades of blue ceramic tile and with high- quality resilient mirror to reflect light like water and endure both weather and touch over time. The shimmering quality of the mirrored elements will animate the wall, creating a dynamic, ever-changing surface that mimics rippling water. Dimensions: Mosaic will span approximately 40 linear feet across the 64’ seating wall, broken into 9 irregularly shaped sections that reflect the natural fragmentation of riverbanks and tidepools.
Form: The wall’s organic, wavy contour is echoed in the mosaic’s flowing composition, enhancing the illusion of a natural waterscape nestled within the park. Inlays of life: Whimsical butterflies, frogs, blades of grass, and California poppies will punctuate the scene, oƯering points of color and delight for children and adults alike.
Transitions: Each mosaic section will be bordered with images of boulders and river rock, creating a gentle, naturalistic transition into the negative spaces of the wall and blending harmoniously with surrounding landscaping.
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Child Engagement:
The low height of the seating wall can engage young children at their eye level, making the mosaic immediately approachable. The small, nature-inspired elements serve as visual surprises, inspiring conversations, storytelling, and imaginative play. This design ensures the wall functions not just as art, but as a child-friendly experience woven into the everyday fabric of the park.
Durability & Maintenance
All materials are selected for their weather-resistance and durability, including:
Frost- and UV-resistant porcelain and ceramic tiles
Resilient mirrored tile rated for outdoor use
Premium thin sets and grouts for maximum durability and longevity The mosaic is easy to clean and graƯiti resistant. The embedded design avoids protrusions, ensuring safety and longevity in a high-use public space.
Artist Qualifications
Juan Lopez, lead artist and founder of New World Mosaics, brings over 40 years of experience as a licensed tile contractor and public artist. His work is known for transforming public spaces through vibrant, durable, and community-centered mosaic installations. Juan holds a California contractor’s license and is fully prepared to fabricate and install the mural, ensuring all aspects of the project—from materials to installation— meet high standards of craftsmanship, safety, and longevity.
Juan’s public art projects often involve collaboration with community stakeholders and reflect a deep commitment to local culture, storytelling, and accessibility. His skill in blending artistic vision with construction expertise makes him uniquely qualified to design and install a mosaic mural that is both beautiful and built to last.
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