As spring gives way to summer in the Okanogan, the hills and valleys are awash in the yellows, purples, and reds of native wildflowers. The blue skies and gray-green of the sagebrush and bunch grass accentuate the vibrancy of the flowers, everything working together to attract the bees, butterflies, and other pollinators seeking nectar and spreading pollen from plant to plant. The prolific wildflower bloom of 2025 set the stage for the arrival of this stunning piece of public art that will bring light and vibrancy to Tonasket for many years to come. 

Volunteer Artists and Framer

Okanogan Family Faire

Icicle Fund

Seeding Justice

OHA

It is difficult to say whether the group of mosaic artists, dubbed Mosaic Mania, has more personality or more talent. From 2023-2025, this group of local artists gathered, one afternoon every week, to create the mosaic that depicts the vibrancy of an Okanogan Highlands Wildflower Meadows in bright, beautiful glass. They researched techniques and materials, designed a concept, sought out the perfect colors, cut, sanded, and placed (and tore out, and re-placed) thousands of pieces of glass to create a thirteen-foot wide mural in three panels, a gift to the community and to the City of Tonasket.

Mosaic Mania members include: Sue Kramer, Carol Lanigan, Peggy Swanberg, Sarah Gelineau, Julia Sanderson, Pam Thacker, and Terry Wallace who donated countless hours, studio space, and expertise to bring the project to fruition.

To install this rather heavy mosaic, Jane Thompson volunteered her time to create a custom-designed and built metal frame to hold the mural. Engineer Howard Zosel advised on the installation, and in July, 2025, the City of Tonasket Public Works Department and volunteers worked together to complete installation.