Case Study
Case Study:
Watsonville Brillante
A Monumental Mosaic Honors Culture, Community, and Collaboration
Project Description
Transforming a six-story parking garage into a vibrant work of public art, Watsonville Brillante celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of Watsonville, California. Spearheaded by artist and educator Kathleen Crocetti, this extraordinary project features 185 mosaic panels and four large-scale murals created by 125 local artists. Together, these works depict the histories and identities of more than 90 cultural groups, including Indigenous peoples, immigrant communities, and figures vital to the city’s story.
Beyond a striking visual transformation, the project represents the power of public art to build community. Employing local youth as art interns, Watsonville Brillante continues to evolve through ongoing fundraising and community participation—establishing itself as a lasting symbol of creativity and inclusion.
Crocetti and her team faced multiple challenges: large-scale installation, seismic safety, weather exposure, and the sheer logistics of managing hundreds of mosaic components. Working closely with installation partners, the team developed a system to ensure the mosaics’ beauty would endure under demanding conditions.
The parking garage’s concrete façade was first power washed and leveled to create a stable substrate. A waterproofing and crack isolation membrane was applied to safeguard against movement from seismic activity. For installation, the team used a polymer-modified adhesive ensuring strong, lasting tile adhesion, and a specific grout that allowed for flexibility, color range, and resistance to fading.
Installation required scaffolding, lifts, and precise hand placement of thousands of small, handcrafted tiles. Despite pandemic-era labor challenges, the project advanced through collaboration, volunteer support, and local material sourcing.
Among the most iconic pieces are “Hermanita,” a 2,400-square-foot mural symbolizing women’s and cultural rights, and “The Strawberry Picker,” honoring the region’s agricultural laborers and their resilience.
Why Tile®?
Tile and stone were selected for their unmatched durability, visual richness, and ability to convey cultural narratives through color and texture. For a project exposed to the elements—and designed to endure generations—ceramic tile provided the ideal medium.
The mosaics use handcrafted ceramic tiles as well as repurposed tile and marble remnants, combining sustainability with artistry. The small-format, colorful tiles allowed for intricate, detailed compositions.
Installation was carefully planned with products to enhance the tile performance in this seismically active region. The installation systems provide structural integrity and long-term vibrancy so that that each mosaic remains a vivid reflection of the community’s identity.
Watsonville Brillante exemplifies sustainability through both material reuse and local engagement. Tiles were sourced that use recycled materials and eco-conscious manufacturing, while reclaimed and scrap tile pieces were repurposed to reduce waste.
Ceramic materials ensured a long lifecycle for the artwork, reducing the environmental impact of future repairs or replacements. Beyond material sustainability, the project invested in human sustainability—providing paid opportunities for local youth, artists, and volunteers to contribute their talents to a shared public space. Although the project did not pursue specific certifications such as LEED, its emphasis on local sourcing, material reuse, and long-term durability reflects a commitment to sustainability and community-oriented practices.
Completed in September 2024, Watsonville Brillante transformed a utilitarian parking garage into a celebrated city landmark—one that honors the resilience, creativity, and unity of its community.
Tile’s longevity, low maintenance, and artistic versatility made it the natural choice for this enduring civic landmark. Additionally, the project’s inclusive process has made it both a cultural and technical achievement.
Watsonville Brillante continues to draw attention from artists, civic leaders, and visitors across the region, proving that tile can transcend its practical role to become a powerful medium for storytelling and civic pride.
Project Details
Location:
Watsonville, California, USA
Client / Owner:
City of Watsonville
Lead Artist / Installer:
Kathleen Crocetti, Community Arts & Empowerment
Collaborators:
Rinaldi Tile & Marble, LATICRETE
Project Type:
Commercial Public Art Installation / Community Project, Sustainability
Budget:
$1.5 million
Project photographers:
amotion.video, Eric Pucilowski, Crystal Birns, Kathleen Crocetti
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