For Want of a Nail by Arts for Transit Collaborative

For Want of a Nail is a public art installation in the 81st St. subway station in NYC, right next to the American Museum of Natural History. Thematically related glass and ceramic mosaics, handmade ceramic relief tiles and granite floor tiles are installed throughout the station.

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The Webber Theater Ghost Tile in Denver

The old Webber Theater is located at 119 South Broadway in Denver, and its entrances feature really pretty tiled lettering, although the spacing is overkill in my book.

The Mosaic Trail by Jim Power

For as long as I can remember, the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan has been decorated with mosaics. Light posts are covered with bits of broken china, coins, mirrors, and other found objects, usually commemorating an event or acting as another level of wayfinding signage. A few years ago, I finally started photographing the work of Jim Power, a.k.a. the Mosaic Man.

Meyer’s Ghost Tile in Denver

I don’t remember where in Denver I spotted the ghost tile for Meyer’s. Somewhere just west of downtown, I think. Anyway, nice lettering built out of hexagonal tile, and I love the apostrophe.

Sloan Ghost Tile in French Lick, IN

Yay, hooray! Our first-ever reader submission: Sloan ghost tile found on Maple St. in the small town [with an awesome name] of French Lick, IN. Thanks so much, Will Yokel!

Kaliski & Cabay Ghost Tile in NYC

Kaliski & Cabay ghost tile spotted in Greenwich Village at 88 University Place, now the home of Scarpina Bar & Grill. I rarely see tile signs with such irregular letters, almost as if someone worked on this without a plan at all.

Memories of Twenty-Third Street by Keith Godard

London-born, NYC-based designer Keith Godard created the glass mosaic mural Memories of Twenty-Third Street to show the glorious hats that famous people from the 1880s through the 1930s might have worn. Above, Polish rockstar [and chemist] Marie Skłodowska-Curie.

Happy City by Peter Sis

The multi-part installation Happy City by Peter Sis depicts the diverse ingredients found in NYC communities. Created with etched stone and glass, the mosaics include landmark buildings near the 86th St. station on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, along with whimsical people and animals.

Bethesda Terrace Arcade in Central Park

You’ve probably seen this in movies or on TV — the Bethesda Fountain is the heart of Central Park, and the subterranean arcade features a 50-ton ceiling made of encaustic tile designed by Jacob Wrey Mould and made by the famed Minton Tile Company.

Blooming by Elizabeth Murray

Blooming by Elizabeth Murray is a 120-foot long mosaic located in Manhattan’s 59th St. station mezzanine. It’s a dreamy representation of putting on one’s shoes and drinking a cup of coffee to get ready for the morning commute to work.