Roosevelt “Grey Ghost” Williams

Mosaics

Apr 21

16ft x 12ft, 2019

Glass tile and recycled stained glass, ceramic, and mirror mosaic

Holly Commons, Austin, TX

Pixel mosaic face of old man resting his head on his hand with freeform mosaic red shirt and mirror mosaic background

Roosevelt "Grey Ghost" Williams was a blues pianist originally from Bastrop who played barrel house blues and jazz piano in Austin for 70 years. This memorial mural, based on a 1991 photograph taken by Wyatt McSpadden at the Continental Club before Williams' happy hour gig, is the first in an East Austin Legends series.

This community mural was made as part of the inaugural Mosaic Workshop, a community initiative grant-funded City of Austin Cultural Arts Division program whose mission is to teach basic mosaic art-making techniques as well as give project-based hands-on experience and education about community and public art processes in an accessible and professional way.

Background, shirt, and hat made from 100% recycled tiles.