Temple City Today
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Title: Temple City Today Size: 5 mosaic murals, 44 x28 inches each Medium: Mosaic: Smalti, marble, granite, Cristallino, Millefiori, iridescent tile, pebbles and other glass. Technique: Byzantine indirect technique Location: 5 locations on Rosemead Blvd, Temple City, CA, USA Year: 2015 Awarded "Best Site-Specific Mosaic"
2017 Mosaic Arts International 
Mosaic Arts International 2017: Best Site-Specific Mosaic Carole Choucair Oueijan Temple City Today 5 panels along Rosemead Blvd. in Temple City, California 2015 Each panel is 44″h x 22″w Smalti, marble, granite, Cristallino, Millefiori, iridescent tile, pebbles and other glass The work that best satisfied the criteria in the site-specific category was “ Temple City Today”, by Carole Choucair Oueijan comprised of five mosaic works. The submittal was professionally organized, clearly described and well photographed to fully communicate the information in this work. The artist’s technical proficiency and artistic expression was impressive as each mural was original and romantically depicted the history of the City through a diverse choice of mosaic materials. I was able to step inside the individual panels and was mesmerized by the mosaic artistry in the dancer’s sandal, boy’s backpack and hot-rod headlights. The mosaic murals appear to be a painting from a distance and upon close inspection one is able to appreciate and be in awe of the artist’s skilled use of color, shading, technique and material in achieving their vision. This is an extremely successful mosaic art work which results in a memorable experience by engaging the public as the panels are installed along a major boulevard that transverses the City, and encourages both pedestrian and community connectivity while reflecting pride in the local history. Susan Goldberg 
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Design Idea/ Statement:
The current culture of Temple City’s community will be reflected in five mosaic murals along Rosemead Blvd that will both beautify the busy street, and help drivers and pedestrians learn more about today’s life in their city. After understanding the city’s past, the new murals will serve as a gateway to further understand the unity and blending of the various communities which come together to enjoy the landmarks which make Temple City the place it is today. Through illustrations of the parks, shops, mountains, festivities, and the accomplished schools that breathe life through the infrastructure of the city, these murals will illustrate the avenues through which the community joins hands.
A member of a thriving community myself, I know how important it is to showcase one’s culture. By creating mosaics of the different aspects of the melting pot that is Temple City, residents and visitors will be able to see how this community eagerly comes together.
These artistic murals are an invitation for all to see Temple City in its authentic and beautiful light. To enrich the city, cultivate a sense of community, and to encourage its visitors to do business within, these murals will serve as a gateway for onlookers both inside and outside of the Temple City community. To be remembered as diary entries that pay homage to the still growing and thriving city around them.
The current culture of Temple City’s community will be reflected in five mosaic murals along Rosemead Blvd that will both beautify the busy street, and help drivers and pedestrians learn more about today’s life in their city. After understanding the city’s past, the new murals will serve as a gateway to further understand the unity and blending of the various communities which come together to enjoy the landmarks which make Temple City the place it is today. Through illustrations of the parks, shops, mountains, festivities, and the accomplished schools that breathe life through the infrastructure of the city, these murals will illustrate the avenues through which the community joins hands.
A member of a thriving community myself, I know how important it is to showcase one’s culture. By creating mosaics of the different aspects of the melting pot that is Temple City, residents and visitors will be able to see how this community eagerly comes together.
These artistic murals are an invitation for all to see Temple City in its authentic and beautiful light. To enrich the city, cultivate a sense of community, and to encourage its visitors to do business within, these murals will serve as a gateway for onlookers both inside and outside of the Temple City community. To be remembered as diary entries that pay homage to the still growing and thriving city around them.
