Barbara Flye:
Barb Flye Mosaics

December 30, 2024 March 2, 2025


@ The Collins Pub / Pioneer Square

Barb Flye Mosaics

My mosaic art has two primary themes. Many seek to capture the beauty of nature, particularly of the Pacific Northwest where I have lived since 1992. Others address social issues I care deeply about such as racial justice, social and economic justice, and climate change. My aim is to provoke emotion, reflection, and hopefully action that creates strong communities dedicated to progressive change. But sometimes I just create something to make people smile.

I like to work with 3 dimensional materials in a tactile way. The materials available to me (which we call tesserae) are limitless. Each choice offers a unique way to express the concepts behind my art. For example, in my piece “Assaulted,” a commentary on gun violence in schools, the use of broken crayons is much more powerful than if I had used glass or stone.

I consider myself part of a growing movement of mosaic artists invested in promoting mosaic as fine art. Most artists strive to have their work shown in an art gallery. And so do I! Fine art can also become public art depending on where it’s placed. What I love about CoCA’s ShowWalls program and the Collins Pub’s support of it is that it puts art in front of the larger community. What can be better than a beer, a burger, and good art?

This is my first solo show.


Public Viewing at The Collins Pub:
Every day, 11am - close (~9pm)
526 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104

Pioneer Square First Thursday Art Walk:
Thursday January 2nd and February 6th, 2025 from 5-8pm

Barb Flye is a mosaic artist who lives and works in Seattle, Washington. Born in Detroit, she moved to Seattle in the early 90’s. She has no formal art education. Prior to becoming a full time artist, Barb worked for over 30 years on community and coalition organizing in the progressive movement, working on projects such as discrimination in home loans, access to health care, equity in public schools, and immigration reform.

In 2009, she attended a beginners mosaic art class at Seattle Mosaic Arts, and made her first mosaic art piece. Since then she has dedicated herself to this art form through classes, lectures, workshops, and hands-on experimentation.

While this is her first opportunity to show a collection of her work, her art has been accepted in several juried shows. She has also created commissioned work, and donated her art for auction.

Barb is a member of the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA), Seattle Mosaic Arts (SMA), and Center on Contemporary Art (CoCA).

CoCA ShowWalls is a show opportunity for CoCA Artist in partnership with local businesses.