Project Details
In the fall of 2016, while visiting Houston, the Inspired Artisans team met with Fr. Wayne at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. Fr. Wayne had recently become pastor and had previously collaborated with us on a custom-made Crucifix for St. Francis de Sales during its renovation. As we walked through St. Michael’s, it was clear how proud he was of this magnificent parish, filled with stunning art and craftsmanship.
When we passed the Shrine to the Blessed Mother, a glass mosaic with intricate gold elements, Fr. Wayne pointed to a large, empty wall and shared his vision. He imagined a grand image of St. Michael the Archangel, triumphantly stepping on evil. He expressed that this new mural needed to be Venetian glass mosaic, matching the caliber and artistry of the existing work.
Hearing this, our team was excited about the possibilities, but we were also aware that the church, completed in the 1960s, might not be ready for such a project. For years, the idea remained dormant, with only occasional holiday greetings exchanged. Then while we were in Houston working on another project for St. Cecilia, we reconnected with Fr. Wayne. This time, he was ready to move forward with the mosaic depicting St. Michael.
The excitement grew as we discussed the size of the mural—an impressive 15 by 25 feet. We began the design process, following the iconographic style of the existing Blessed Mother mosaic. A few months later, we presented the design to Fr. Wayne. While he appreciated the effort, it wasn’t exactly what he envisioned.
Over the course of eight months, we refined the design based on various suggestions. Despite multiple iterations, we couldn’t secure final approval to move forward to the next phase of developing the full-size cartoon. Then, one day, Fr. Wayne called with a clear vision: St. Michael should appear human-like—resolute, strong, and triumphant—while the devil should be a combination of human and animal, frightened and defeated. From this vision, we developed the sketch that would guide the entire project. This was mid-January 2022.
A prayer element was added to encourage parishioners to participate in the experience. Once the final sketch and colors were approved, the Inspired Artisans team began the detailed and complex task of creating the mosaic.
The creation of the mural took 15 months and involved an extraordinary level of craftsmanship. The mosaic featured 250 different colors of Venetian glass, custom-manufactured with both glossy and matte finishes to achieve the desired hues. Approximately 360,000 tiles, ranging from ¼-inch to ½-inch, were hand-cut and installed.
The design was printed full-size in reverse on special paper, which served as a guide for assembling the mosaic tiles, starting with the central figure of St. Michael. One of the most challenging aspects was creating the sky, which required daily adjustments to the color balance until it was just right. Every weekend, the completed segments were assembled for inspection and color correction. Once the mosaic was completed, all 360 segments were carefully crated and transported for installation.
Upon arrival at St. Michael’s, the Inspired Artisans team began the meticulous process of installing the mosaic. Each segment was carefully applied to the prepared wall, guided by a detailed map of the design. The entire installation was completed in just two weeks.
The final result is a breathtaking piece, one of the most complex murals Inspired Artisans has ever created, particularly for its stunning color transitions. It feels as though the mosaic has always been a part of St. Michael’s rich artistic heritage since the church’s original dedication.
Venetian Glass Mosaic - 15 feet tall x 24 feet wide
St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church - 1801 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056