This fall, more than 20 community members gathered across six sessions to shape something both beautiful and lasting. Guided by local artist Anne Krocak, and supported by a Minnesota State Arts Board grant, the Community Intersections Mosaic Project brought neighbors together through color, tile and storytelling.
The project, created in collaboration with Communities of Belonging Chanhassen (CoBC) and Carver County Library, offered participants a space to reflect on identity, belonging and connection through the hands-on creation of mosaic art. Four sessions were held at the Chanhassen Library and two at Krocak’s studio through her organization, Art, Hearts & Hoofbeats.
“Mosaic has a unique power – its beauty grows with diversity,” said Krocak. “The more pieces, the more voices, the richer the story.”
That spirit of connection will take center stage this Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chanhassen Library, when CoB hosts a year-end celebration for the whole community. The free event, called Celebrating Our Community & Extending Service, will feature the reveal of the final mosaic installation, along with interactive activities, other exhibits, refreshments, and service opportunities.
Event Participants will be able to:
- View the large community mosaic and mini mosaic art from past sessions
- Explore a visual recap of CoBC’s 2025 gatherings and programs
- Join in making holiday cards and care packages
- Play board games and connect during casual social time
- Contribute to an Emergency Food Bag Drive for the Bountiful Basket Food Shelf
The event will also include a showcase of individual mosaic frames the group created as well as mandala rock paintings created throughout the year, another hands-on project developed through CoBC’s inclusive community programs.
Throughout the mosaic project, Krocak emphasized not only the artistic process, but the emotional space it opened up. “I believe deeply that when people are seen, heard and given space to express themselves creatively, the whole community connects in new ways and we find commonalities to grow stronger,” she said.
That connection was evident across the six mosaic sessions. Attendees, many of whom were strangers at first, found a rhythm in working side by side. “People arrived ready to share, ready to learn, and ready to belong,” Krocak said. “Watching strangers form a creative community in real time was incredibly powerful.”
The final large-scale mosaic will eventually be permanently installed at a location within the city, still to be determined. But its first public unveiling will happen Saturday, as part of a morning focused on gratitude, creativity and looking ahead.
For those who contributed to the mosaic, the celebration offers a moment to reflect on shared effort. For others, it’s a perfect invitation to learn more about the work CoBC is doing to foster connections across Chanhassen.
(Bhakti Modi is also a part of Communities of Belonging Chanhassen leadership.)
