Discover the Iconic John Pratt Mosaic House in Midland

John Pratt chose an unusual canvas for his art. The outside walls of his childhood home in Midland are covered with bits of broken glass, creating the iconic Mosaic House.

The Tale of John Pratt

Pratt led a storied life, growing up in Midland and pursuing a career in art in New York City. He was a window dresser for Macy's, owned his own antique shop, and may have appeared in a few off-Broadway plays during his 15-year tenure in the Big Apple.

But mental health issues silenced Pratt for a while as the voices in his head convinced him not to speak. Miming became his only means of communication for about two years.

Pratt returned home to Midland where he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He spent roughly two decades in counseling and in hospitals before embarking on a somewhat stable recovery plan in 1990.

Creating the Mosaic House

With the help of the mental health community, Pratt was able to control his mental illness and began pursuing a childhood dream. John had shared with his mother that he wanted to cover the outside wall of the cinderblock home with shards of glass to create mosaic murals.

Pratt scoured yard sales and flea markets to find old pottery and china which he broke into pieces to be glued to the canvas. He even included unusual items like old bottle caps to incorporate into his murals.

The results are stunning.

Current State of the Midland Mosaic House

John Pratt passed away in 1997 and the home has since been owned by Creative 360, a non-profit community arts organization in Midland.

As you'll see in the pictures below, the inside of the home has been neglected and left in disrepair. But Pratt's murals on the outside of the home have been meticulously maintained and preserved. Creative 360 offers guided tours of the premises. Our thanks to Ashley Cottrell who provided the photos below.

Midland's John Pratt Mosaic House

Just outside of Midland is the childhood home of gifted artist John Pratt. The home is adorned with shimmering bits of broken glass, china, and mirrored tiles that create a window into Pratt's creative soul.

Pratt suffered from mental illness and as part of his recovery, decorated the outside walls of the home with murals that, in the words of this website, "represented his illness, his re-discovered zest for living, and his beliefs about tolerance and unconditional love."

Since his death, the home has been owned and maintained by Creative 360 which offers guided tours of the premises. Our thanks to Ashley Cottrell who provided the pictures below.

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