Red River Zoo Mosaic Mural Restoration
Donation protected
WE ARE LOOKING FOR FUNDS TO AIDE IN
THE RESTORATION OF OUR BELOVED GLASS MOSAIC MURAL
at the THE RED RIVER ZOO in FARGO, North Dakota
A Brief RED RIVER ZOO Mosaic Mural History :
Six years ago, in the Fall of 2012, the then director of the Red River Zoo in Fargo, North Dakota approached local artist Magda Szeitz and asked her to submit a design for a mosaic mural. This mural would decorate an existing freestanding wall located by the zoo’s original entrance. Ms. Szeitz was tasked with creating a new work of art, which, through it’s depiction of specific animals and their native habitats, would recognize the history of The Red River Zoo and give insight into the Zoo's plans for the future. Winter 2012 Ms. Szeitz presented a completed design to the director, and with the enthusiastic approval of the Board, the search for funding began. To everyone’s delight, the following Spring the Red River Zoo was awarded a generous grant by the Arts Partnership of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo.

TURNING A DESIGN INTO A REALITY
For Ms. Szeitz, the summer of 2013 was spent collecting materials, selecting and cutting glass, and transforming the design into portable sections. In mid-August the pieces were ready to travel to the Zoo for their installation.

COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
During installation of the mural, Zoo visitors of all ages were invited to participate in the decoration of the murals frame with a tempting selection of beads, stones, broken dishes, marbles, jewels, cut glass, and other treasures, including some donated items. Visitors perused these mementos, selected one item, and placed it into the mural with assistance from mosaic artist Magda Szeitz.

READY FOR ITS FIRST “ZOOLIBRATION”
On September 1st, 2013 Szeitz’s completed mosaic: "PAST PRESENT FUTURE" was officially revealed to the public in a dedication ceremony on site at the Red River Zoo. The ceremony was led by Lisa Tate, the Executive Director of the Zoo; and attended by Dayna Del Val, Executive Director of the Arts Partnership; with a special guests: Mural Artist, Magda Szeitz and her family, as well as the then Mayor of Fargo, Dennis Walaker and other community members and Zoo Staff.
"PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE of the RED RIVER ZOO"
THE ELEMENTS & THE WALL - MOSAIC MURAL IN DANGER
We live in a harsh climate here in the upper Midwest, and persistent moisture, deep freeze, and thaw can have extreme effects on building materials over time. In the case of our wall, moisture had made its way deep into the cement block at the center of the red brick faced wall, undetected, for years. Because of an unfortunate lack of drainage or evaporation, this trapped moisture made its way deeper into the cement block year after year, despite our best efforts to preserve the integrity of the structure. Each year the cement block shifted slightly at its seams as it slowly drained and refilled, froze and thawed, drained and refilled, froze and thawed. Slowly but surely the wall was eaten away from the inside, and was no longer a stable surface for the mosaic.

WHAT THIS MEANT FOR THE ZOO’S MURAL
The Summer of 2018 the situation became critical as the cement block at the wall's core became so saturated with moisture that it started dissolving the adhesive that attached the glass mural. This dissolution created loose areas, only held together by the adhesive and grout. Fearing for the mural, the Zoo staff covered it with a tarp.
Ms. Szeitz returned to the Zoo in the fall of 2018, this time to systematically remove the mural in hopes of preserving it for reinstallation elsewhere in the zoo. Most of the mural was removed quite easily by chipping it away over a few days. The animals were once more divided into sections, this time for storage until they are cleaned and repaired.


TIME FOR US TO ASK FOR HELP
The original creation of the Mosaic took more than four dedicated months of planning, assembly and installation. We anticipate that the cleaning and restoration of the rescued glass, replacement of missing or damaged areas of the mosaic, planning, designing and construction of the new installation site, and the coordination of the installation of the restored artwork will take place over a number of years.
Over the next several months artist Magda Szeitz will be cleaning, repairing and rebuilding the glass mosaic in preparation for it's return to the Zoo. We are asking for funds for the materials and time necessary to support her in her efforts.
Our fund will also provide for the designing and construction of a new installation surface. Our team is dedicated to the restoration and reintroduction of the Mosaic Mural, and through our efforts we hope that it will be enjoyed for many years to come by new and returning visitors to the Red River Zoo.
Above: Back of Reeves Muntjac mosaic panel after removal, ready for cleaning and restoration.
YOU CAN VIEW the restoration of this and other panels in the UPDATES section.
Each individual piece of glass must be cleaned of any remaining adhesive, grout and mineral deposits. Cleaning starts with soaking. Each piece is then gently removed from its neighbors and assessed for damage. If it is salvageable it is thoroughly scrubbed. After drying, the pieces are placed on top of the waiting pattern.
If pieces are missing due to breakage, damage or loss, the pattern and glass are marked up, and the search for replacement glass begins. In some of the panels this may also be an opportunity to make additions and enhancements. Perhaps some more Muntjac just over those rolling hills...?
MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TODAY AND RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES ON OUR PROGRESS!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your GENEROUS HELP and ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING this page through email or social media!
See how AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
For more information about the history of the Red River Zoo visit the Zoo website at: https://redriverzoo.org/history/ for our home page go to: https://redriverzoo.org
For more information about artist Magda Szeitz, to see original images of the mural, and additional pics and updates of the mural restoration you can visit her Magpie Mosaic website at: https://magpiemosaic.weebly.com
You can view the TV NEWS STORY created by the great folks at KVRR in FARGO by clicking on the link below:
https://www.kvrr.com/2019/02/06/woman-raises-funds-to-repair-mosaic-at-red-river-zoo/?fbclid=IwAR277c7dG3G-U4e5Cie5km-9dYeHuN0QihACTpcTPMlCdNMpXmYzSWMyi2I
THE RESTORATION OF OUR BELOVED GLASS MOSAIC MURAL
at the THE RED RIVER ZOO in FARGO, North Dakota
A Brief RED RIVER ZOO Mosaic Mural History :
Six years ago, in the Fall of 2012, the then director of the Red River Zoo in Fargo, North Dakota approached local artist Magda Szeitz and asked her to submit a design for a mosaic mural. This mural would decorate an existing freestanding wall located by the zoo’s original entrance. Ms. Szeitz was tasked with creating a new work of art, which, through it’s depiction of specific animals and their native habitats, would recognize the history of The Red River Zoo and give insight into the Zoo's plans for the future. Winter 2012 Ms. Szeitz presented a completed design to the director, and with the enthusiastic approval of the Board, the search for funding began. To everyone’s delight, the following Spring the Red River Zoo was awarded a generous grant by the Arts Partnership of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo.
TURNING A DESIGN INTO A REALITY
For Ms. Szeitz, the summer of 2013 was spent collecting materials, selecting and cutting glass, and transforming the design into portable sections. In mid-August the pieces were ready to travel to the Zoo for their installation.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
During installation of the mural, Zoo visitors of all ages were invited to participate in the decoration of the murals frame with a tempting selection of beads, stones, broken dishes, marbles, jewels, cut glass, and other treasures, including some donated items. Visitors perused these mementos, selected one item, and placed it into the mural with assistance from mosaic artist Magda Szeitz.
READY FOR ITS FIRST “ZOOLIBRATION”
On September 1st, 2013 Szeitz’s completed mosaic: "PAST PRESENT FUTURE" was officially revealed to the public in a dedication ceremony on site at the Red River Zoo. The ceremony was led by Lisa Tate, the Executive Director of the Zoo; and attended by Dayna Del Val, Executive Director of the Arts Partnership; with a special guests: Mural Artist, Magda Szeitz and her family, as well as the then Mayor of Fargo, Dennis Walaker and other community members and Zoo Staff.
"PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE of the RED RIVER ZOO" THE ELEMENTS & THE WALL - MOSAIC MURAL IN DANGER
We live in a harsh climate here in the upper Midwest, and persistent moisture, deep freeze, and thaw can have extreme effects on building materials over time. In the case of our wall, moisture had made its way deep into the cement block at the center of the red brick faced wall, undetected, for years. Because of an unfortunate lack of drainage or evaporation, this trapped moisture made its way deeper into the cement block year after year, despite our best efforts to preserve the integrity of the structure. Each year the cement block shifted slightly at its seams as it slowly drained and refilled, froze and thawed, drained and refilled, froze and thawed. Slowly but surely the wall was eaten away from the inside, and was no longer a stable surface for the mosaic.
WHAT THIS MEANT FOR THE ZOO’S MURAL
The Summer of 2018 the situation became critical as the cement block at the wall's core became so saturated with moisture that it started dissolving the adhesive that attached the glass mural. This dissolution created loose areas, only held together by the adhesive and grout. Fearing for the mural, the Zoo staff covered it with a tarp.
Ms. Szeitz returned to the Zoo in the fall of 2018, this time to systematically remove the mural in hopes of preserving it for reinstallation elsewhere in the zoo. Most of the mural was removed quite easily by chipping it away over a few days. The animals were once more divided into sections, this time for storage until they are cleaned and repaired.

TIME FOR US TO ASK FOR HELP
The original creation of the Mosaic took more than four dedicated months of planning, assembly and installation. We anticipate that the cleaning and restoration of the rescued glass, replacement of missing or damaged areas of the mosaic, planning, designing and construction of the new installation site, and the coordination of the installation of the restored artwork will take place over a number of years.
Over the next several months artist Magda Szeitz will be cleaning, repairing and rebuilding the glass mosaic in preparation for it's return to the Zoo. We are asking for funds for the materials and time necessary to support her in her efforts.
Our fund will also provide for the designing and construction of a new installation surface. Our team is dedicated to the restoration and reintroduction of the Mosaic Mural, and through our efforts we hope that it will be enjoyed for many years to come by new and returning visitors to the Red River Zoo.
Above: Back of Reeves Muntjac mosaic panel after removal, ready for cleaning and restoration. YOU CAN VIEW the restoration of this and other panels in the UPDATES section.
Each individual piece of glass must be cleaned of any remaining adhesive, grout and mineral deposits. Cleaning starts with soaking. Each piece is then gently removed from its neighbors and assessed for damage. If it is salvageable it is thoroughly scrubbed. After drying, the pieces are placed on top of the waiting pattern.
If pieces are missing due to breakage, damage or loss, the pattern and glass are marked up, and the search for replacement glass begins. In some of the panels this may also be an opportunity to make additions and enhancements. Perhaps some more Muntjac just over those rolling hills...?
MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTION TODAY AND RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES ON OUR PROGRESS!
THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your GENEROUS HELP and ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING this page through email or social media!
See how AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.
For more information about the history of the Red River Zoo visit the Zoo website at: https://redriverzoo.org/history/ for our home page go to: https://redriverzoo.org
For more information about artist Magda Szeitz, to see original images of the mural, and additional pics and updates of the mural restoration you can visit her Magpie Mosaic website at: https://magpiemosaic.weebly.com
You can view the TV NEWS STORY created by the great folks at KVRR in FARGO by clicking on the link below:
https://www.kvrr.com/2019/02/06/woman-raises-funds-to-repair-mosaic-at-red-river-zoo/?fbclid=IwAR277c7dG3G-U4e5Cie5km-9dYeHuN0QihACTpcTPMlCdNMpXmYzSWMyi2I
Organizer
Magda Szeitz
Organizer
Fargo, ND
