The conspicuous paint job isn't the only thing that makes the IMA unique. Its founder and director, Laurel True, says she has created the first mosaic institute in the country, housing the only mosaics retail store in Northern California. And if that weren't enough, the workshops offered are taught by some of the biggest names in mosaics. Isaiah Zagar is one of them. True, who has been in the mosaic industry for 16 years, first learned about mosaics from Zagar.

"I first saw Isaiah on a trip to Philadelphia, and when I saw his work my mind exploded into a million pieces," True said. "I'm still putting them back together."

Zagar came out for the center's grand opening Sept. 24 and stayed to teach a mural-making class and to help create two mosaic walls, including the 35-by-20-foot wall adorning a section of the institute's outdoor workshop.

True brings a wealth of experience to the institute. A prolific mosaic artist, she majored in African arts and cultures in college, and also studied fashion design and textiles. In addition, she volunteered for a building project in Ghana at age 19. All of these experiences inform her current work, which mainly focuses on community art projects and private commissions.

Artist Donna Billick, another mosaic heavyweight, said she is thrilled by the opportunities True's institute creates for not only established mosaic artists, but also those who wish to explore mosaics.

"She's the queen, she makes it possible, and everyone rallies around her," Billick said. "She's got the integrity, and she's willing to risk the vision to create the path for others."

True's risk is paying off. Although the institute only opened in June, its 5,000-square-foot building is already a hotbed of artistic expression. Students roam the halls, and classes are packed. The IMA features three classrooms, a lecture room, a growing resource library, the retail store, the home of True Mosaics' production studio, and the massive outdoor workshop.

Student Jonaya Leek said she's an IMA "lifer." She's been attending classes with True ever since True operated out of a garage just a few buildings away from the current site.

"I found the right person to teach me," she said. Leek spends much of her time at the institute, and she is grateful True brought it to life.

"She had a dream, and she gave it wings," Leek said.

It is apparent how special the space is to True by the way she beams as she walks between the institute's rooms. Part of her goal is to bring the art of mosaics to people who have never worked with them before. She has added a series of adult classes specifically to meet this goal.

"They are meant to demystify the design part of it," she said. "Many people who take classes here don't have an art background."

True and the other teachers help students design pieces, choose colors, and select materials. It removes a lot of the guesswork for the beginners who comprise a large part of the IMA's students.

"There is a newfound popularity for mosaics, especially with women between 30 and 70. They're coming in droves," Laurel said.

It doesn't take deep pockets to work with mosaics. Finding inexpensive materials is easy: visit a Goodwill store and find some old pottery or dishes. Take them home, smash them, and suddenly you have a pile of materials to create a mosaic. Or, visit the Mosaic Studio Supply store at the IMA, which has many inexpensive repurposed tiles.

Billick said one of the best things about mosaic artwork is it that it's "folk art, and folks do it."

"It's not exclusive. It's inclusive," she said. "You need no practice and no money to create mosaics."

Another part of True's goal is to bring together her community. She enjoys being located in Jingletown, because she finds that her neighbors are infinitely generous and supportive of her institute. Jingletown is a neighborhood roughly bordered by Highway 880, the Oakland Estuary, 29th Avenue and Fruitvale.

"It's a very special place. We have a symbiotic relationship, and there's something happening here that's vital and exciting," she said.

Currently, the IMA is displaying artwork from both its instructors and students. The pieces show the wide range of possibilities mosaic art offers, including everything from mosaic table tops to mosaic statues. The work will be on display until the end of October, and the public is free to stop by to view it.

The IMA is located at 3001 Chapman St. Hours for the mosaics store are Wednesday through Sunday from noon-6 p.m. To find out more, visit instituteofmosaicart.com or contact True at info@instituteofmosaicart.com or 510-437-9899.