North Austin News

Carmen Rangel, a community artist and co-founder of The Mosaic Workshop, is contributing to Austin's net-zero goals by transforming discarded materials into art. Her efforts in promoting zero-waste practices through material reuse earned The Mosaic Workshop the 2024 grand finalist prize at the City of Austin’s Circular Austin Showcase. Additionally, they became gold members of the Austin Green Business Leaders program for their sustainability achievements.

Rangel shared her journey at Holly Commons on East Cesar Chavez Street, where several mosaic murals from The Mosaic Workshop are displayed. One such project is "Under the Same Sun," led by Rangel, which utilizes donated materials to create a moment of peace and calmness amidst urban life.

"I’ve always been a creative spirit," Rangel said about her inspiration. Her passion for nature and art was sparked during her childhood explorations outdoors. As she transitioned from painting murals to mosaics, she noticed the waste generated by single-use materials and began creating collages with them.

The Mosaic Workshop was founded with small grant funding and aims to teach mosaic art while utilizing recycled tiles that would otherwise become waste. "Researching and experimenting have been a big part of this journey," Rangel explained.

Rangel expressed satisfaction in seeing participants engage with mosaic-making techniques: "The most rewarding part has been witnessing the impact of creating murals with our participants." However, challenges remain, including limited funding and storage space for donated materials.

Despite these hurdles, Rangel believes artists play a significant role in environmental movements by visually communicating impactful messages. She advises others to explore creativity for mental health benefits and encourages mindful consumption: "What one person views as waste can be given a new life through art."

Austin aims to achieve zero waste by 2040. Community members are encouraged to share their contributions using #NetZeroHero on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook.