Here’s something we hear a lot: “I’d love to help preserve these mosaics, but I don’t know anything about art history. I wouldn’t even know what to look for or what information would be useful.”
Good news—you don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need a degree in art history or a background in conservation. You don’t need to be able to identify artistic styles or know the names of famous mosaic artists. All you need is curiosity, care, and a willingness to pay attention to the world around you.
Preserving Soviet mosaic art isn’t just about academic research, though that’s certainly an important component of what we do. It’s also about people—ordinary people who care enough to notice these works, to recognize their value, to take a moment to document them, and to share what they’ve found with others who are working to protect this cultural heritage.
Think about it this way: maybe you’re traveling through a small town and spot a faded mosaic on the wall of an old community center. You’re not sure when it was made or who created it, but something about it catches your eye—the colors, the composition, the way it’s weathered over time. That instinct, that moment of noticing, is valuable. That’s where preservation begins.
Maybe you grew up near a metro station with incredible tile work that you passed through every day on your way to school. You never thought much about it because it was just part of the landscape of daily life. But that familiarity is valuable too. You might remember when it looked different, or know stories about the station’s history, or have photographs from years ago that show details that have since faded or been damaged.
Maybe your grandmother has stories about the artists who worked on a local cultural building, or your neighbor remembers when a particular mosaic was unveiled. These oral histories, these personal connections to these works, are part of their story too. They add context and meaning that no amount of academic research alone can provide.
All of that matters. All of that helps. All of that contributes to our collective effort to preserve not just artworks, but the memories and meanings associated with them.
So what can you actually do? How can you contribute to mosaic preservation without specialized training? Here are some concrete ways to get involved:
Document what you see. This is the most immediate and accessible way to help. When you encounter a Soviet-era mosaic—whether it’s a famous monument or an obscure decoration on a building most people ignore—take photographs. If you have a smartphone, you already have everything you need. Take photos from multiple angles. Capture details as well as the overall composition. Note the location as precisely as you can. If there are any plaques, inscriptions, or identifying information, photograph those too. Share these images with us. Even if we already have that mosaic in our archive, additional documentation is always valuable.
Share what you know. Do you have information about a mosaic’s history? Stories about its creation? Details about the building it decorates? Knowledge about changes it’s undergone over time? Share that information. Context enriches our archive and helps others understand these works more fully.
Spread awareness. Talk to people about mosaics in your area. Post photos on social media. Write about them in local publications. Start conversations. The more people know about these works and their value, the more likely it is that efforts will be made to protect them. Public awareness is one of the most powerful tools for preservation.
Participate in our educational programs. We organize tours that visit mosaics and discuss their history and significance. We offer workshops that teach about mosaic techniques and the broader context of Soviet art. We host exhibitions that showcase this art form to new audiences. Attending these events isn’t just about learning—it’s about building a community of people who care about this heritage and are committed to protecting it.
Connect us with local experts. Do you know historians, artists, or long-time residents who might have valuable information about mosaics in their area? Help us make those connections. Preservation requires collaboration across many different kinds of expertise and experience.
These mosaics belong to all of us. They’re part of our shared cultural heritage—reminders of the artistic spirit and historical depth of communities across diverse regions. They represent traditions of craftsmanship stretching back over two thousand years. They’re testaments to the artists who created them, often working under challenging circumstances, sometimes without recognition or acknowledgment.
Protecting this heritage is a collective responsibility. It can’t be done by a small group of experts working in isolation. It requires participation from people across all walks of life, in all the regions where these mosaics exist. It requires the efforts of locals who know their own communities, travelers who notice works in unfamiliar places, researchers who dig into archives, photographers who document what they find, and everyone who believes that art and history matter.
You don’t need special training to contribute. You just need to care enough to look up, to notice, to take a moment to document what you see, and to share it with others. That simple act—noticing and sharing—is the foundation of everything else we do.
So next time you’re walking through your city or visiting somewhere new, pay attention. Look at the buildings around you. Notice the decorations, the art integrated into public spaces. You might be surprised by what you find. That faded mosaic on an old bus station might be more significant than you realized. That tile work in the metro might be the creation of an artist whose other works have already been lost. That decoration on a school or hospital might be one of the last remaining examples of a particular style or technique.
And if you find something—even if you’re not sure it’s important, even if you think someone else has probably already documented it, even if you’re uncertain about any aspect of it—tell us about it. Share your photos. Share your stories. Share your questions. We’re here to help make sense of what you’ve found and to ensure it becomes part of the preserved record.
Together, we can make sure these magnificent works aren’t forgotten. Together, we can protect fragments of collective memory, creativity, and culture. Together, we can ensure that future generations have the opportunity to appreciate and learn from these remarkable artistic achievements.
The work of preservation never ends, but every contribution matters. Yours included. So join us. Get involved. Help us save these masterpieces—no art history degree required.