In Polish Heritage Center
The Polish Heritage Center in Panna Maria, Texas, honors the rich heritage of the oldest permanent Polish settlement in the US. An hour’s drive from San Antonio, Panna Maria (meaning Virgin Mary in Polish) was founded in 1854. With a population at last count of about 45, Panna Maria is something of a ghost town but has become a destination for countless visitors.
Greeting visitors at the museum’s entry is a vibrant nine-foot artwork built into the floor. Designed by artist Steve Harding of Galveston, the nine-foot-diameter medallion in terrazzo depicts the seals of Texas, the US, and Poland in 20 colors with an intricate zinc and brass strip pattern. High visual impact is concentrated in the medallion, while a monochromatic terrazzo field applied throughout the rotunda, gallery spaces, and restrooms balances the costs and an accent band in the floor with gold glitter-coated glass reflects stars on the rotunda ceiling.
Mark Morkovsky of Morkovsky Associates of San Antonio, the architect on the center’s construction, said he specified epoxy terrazzo for the space based on his experience with its design capabilities, ease of maintenance, and durability. “It is a very versatile product that can be used in high-traffic areas while also keeping a clean and attractive look,” he remarked. “The color options are endless to match the overall design intention and color scheme of the space.”
When terrazzo work started in the center, no artwork had been specified but the owners knew they wanted to incorporate some design reflecting the center’s heritage. While work progressed, the terrazzo contractor, Venice Art Terrazzo of San Antonio, and the Panna Maria Foundation board discussed what kind of visuals they wanted to create. During the process, Venice Art presented as an example another award-winning Texas-themed medallion they had installed in 2011 at the Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union headquarters.
“The board was immediately surprised at how detailed we could get and were impressed with how intricate and versatile terrazzo can be,” reported Lawrence Di Filippo, vice president of Venice Art of San Antonio, a fourth-generation, family-owned company formed in 1934. Then a prototype design was presented to the board, who unanimously agreed to incorporate such a terrazzo medallion in the center.
The museum’s construction was funded by donations from the local community under the direction of retired Catholic Bishop John Yanta of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, whose parents were natives of Panna Maria. Phases of construction were completed as funding came in.
Since the medallion was expense not initially budgeted, additional funds had to be raised. “The Bishop loved the idea of the logo so much that he was willing to donate his own money to make it happen,” recounted Mr. Di Filippo. In the end, the Polish government also pitched in, following several conference calls with the design team, general contractor, and terrazzo contractor through an interpreter.
As the terrazzo installation progressed, the contractor held space for the medallion, while the design was enlarged from seven- to nine-foot diameter to allow for greater detail. The surrounding field terrazzo was ground and polished except for a one-foot perimeter around the medallion allowing for a seamless blend to the rest of the floor. Each phase of the floor had to be fully finished, including the final seal, and then each next phase tied in. The contractor mobilized five different times throughout this project.
The museum was completed over about eight years as funding allowed and opened in 2020. When Bishop Yanta died in 2022 at age 90, he was still active as Chairman of the Board and President of the Polish Heritage Center at the Panna Maria Foundation.
Venice Art Terrazzo was presented with a 2023 Honor Award by the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association (NTMA) for the installation. One of the longest-standing members of the 100-year-old association, Venice Art joined the NTMA in 1937.
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