Rockville Swim and Fitness Center Mosaic

Artist Paul Santoleri was selected to create a mosaic on the exterior of the new outdoor swimming facility at the Rockville Swim and Fitness Center. Community engagement for the initial design took place in 2023 and a community workshop with the artist was held in March 2025. The mosaic, titled Wave: A Celebration of Maryland’s Biome, was installed in May 2025.

This captivating 3,800-square-foot artwork features hand-cut glass mosaics in vibrant hues, creating a mesmerizing water effect. Ceramic relief tiles in the steps depict 30 of Maryland’s endangered native species, celebrating Maryland’s natural water resources and the diverse flora and fauna they support. The wall mosaic shows people interacting with water, an essential resource for life.

Native animals depicted in the mosaic include the Baltimore checkerspot, bridle shiner, brook trout, common logperch, cutlip minnow, eastern hellbender, glassy darter, gray petaltail, green salamander, lamprey, Maryland darter, mountain chorus frog, Rock Creek groundwater amphipod, shortnose sturgeon, and tangerine darter.

Native plants depicted in the mosaic include American ginseng, buttercup scorpionweed, Carolina bugbane, fringed gentian, large purple fringed orchid, crossleaf milkwort, scarlet crested coralroot, scarlet Indian paintbrush, shale-barren ragwort, sundial lupine, sweet pinesap, and wood lily.