Tropical Gems
2025
6″ x 6″
stained glass, tiles, wire, dinnerware, and beads
$389
I am Luis Alberto Rivera, a retired architect, mosaic artist, and founder of Atelier Del Mosaico de Puerto Rico, which I’ve led for the past twenty years. I believe that my architectural education, combined with my professional experience, has enabled me to approach mosaic work with a unique vision—one that considers scale, light and shadow, color harmony, texture, and the integration of diverse materials.
I’ve also learned to appreciate the creative process by deconstructing elements—analyzing each component to understand and enjoy what makes the final experience so distinct and meaningful.
My piece for this exhibition is inspired by the aroma of my morning coffee—an essential part of how I awaken each day. Coffee seeds are typically planted at high elevations, where cooler temperatures and minimal direct sunlight create ideal growing conditions. The coffee plant can grow up to three feet wide and six feet tall. As the plant matures, it produces fruit known as the “coffee cherry.” These cherries transition in color from green to yellow, and finally to red when they are ready for harvest. The branch on the right side of the mosaic represents this stage of ripeness.
There are various methods for processing coffee; the dry method is most common on small farms. In this method, freshly picked cherries are dried in the sun for approximately 20 days on raised drying beds, which are covered at night to protect the beans from moisture and fermentation. This natural drying process enhances the flavor of the beans, resulting in a fuller, healthier brew.
Once dried, the beans are roasted and packaged. In Kfe Splash, roasted beans are depicted on the coffee plate and surrounding the cup, just above the splash.
The splash within the coffee cup symbolizes the moment of aromatic impact—as you bring the cup close to your lips and nostrils, that first sip awakens you, energizes you, and sets the tone for a vibrant, inspired day.
Luis Alberto Rivera