About the Artist

Born and raised in Springfield, Ohio, I am the 8th of 9 siblings. I attended art school at The University of Cincinnati (graphic design), and graduated with a BFA in Photography from the Art Academy of Cincinnati.

Upon moving to Portland, Oregon, in 1990, I worked as a freelance photographer, mainly for The Oregonian Newspaper. Coming directly from art school, working as a photojournalist was educational and enlightening. I gradually began to dabble with the mosaic art medium. I was soon having exhibits, and undertaking large and small scale commission projects.

This led to the opening of the brick and mortar, Hail Mary. A storefront/gallery/studio, Hail Mary was an arts and community fixture in Portland for 12 years. Community and my personal projects were born and executed there. Locals and travelers, from far and wide, deemed it a very special destination.

My mosaic work covers a range of sometimes religious and secular portraits, crosses, rosaries, tables, lamps, etc. The portraits are fabricated using various accumulated materials, images, and layering. Working mostly from my photographic images and drawings, the portraits are made from found and recycled materials gathered from my everyday surroundings.

The work can take weeks to months to complete, depending upon size and challenge of the project. Traditional mosaics that utilize many tiny pieces of glass and tile are inspirational to me. I honor the traditional art form by striving for the same tedious intricacy, while incorporating contemporary unorthodox materials, and subject matter.

In 2014, I did a month long artist residency at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. This included teaching my art form, and creating public art that resides on the front grounds of the Art Center. Thisresidency began my intrigue and love for Vermont, so much so, that I moved here in 2022.

My work is popping up around the globe in many public and private collections and spaces. Hail Mary Studio is currently accessible 'By Appointment' and online.

- Mary Tapogna