For residents of Crete, Nebraska, their community identity is closely tied to local schools. The image of a cardinal in flight was created using a 4-tone palette and brick textures. 80 feet wide and 36 feet high, the mosaic can be seen from over 600 feet away. Standing tall below the soaring bird are 10-foot tall cardinal red trespa panels, each with a 4-foot tall black letter that, when seen together, spell out “Cardinal.” Unique in its blend of abstraction and realism, the mosaic has become an emblem of the school’s sprit and the community’s pride. Its impact cannot be overstated.