Cycles, 2025

Dyanne Williams
American (born 1973)

Location: Ida Nason Aronica Elementary, Ellensburg

About the Artwork

Cycles by Dyanne Williams is a mosaic artwork that represents how the changing of the seasons and the beauty of nature affect and inspire us all. It is partly based on bead designs from Ida Nason Aronica’s collection.

In creating this artwork, Williams visited Ida Nason Aronica Elementary and Kittitas County Historical Museum (both in Ellensburg, Central Washington) to learn more about Ida Nason Aronica, the person. Nason Aronica (Yakama Nation, K’tɨ́taas Band, 1888-1992) was a bead artist, teacher, and hunter-gatherer. She played an important role in preserving the cultural heritage of the Kittitas band.

William's mosaic art installation is divided into the seasons, represented by colors: from the left, spring is light green, summer is yellow, fall is orange, and winter is blue. Each season starts with mosaic designs based on radial symmetry, where a pattern starts in the center, expands outwards, and mirrors itself. The main color represents the season, the center is the next season's color, and the outer edge is the past season's color. Other mosaic panels are inspired by beaded artworks that were made by Ida Nason Aronica or given to her as gifts.

Williams also taught workshops where students in all grades learned about the art of mosaic-making and radial symmetry.

Ida Nason Aronica elementary is the first school in Washington State named for a local Native woman (in 2022). To make sure students experience different aspects of Ida’s Native Kittitas culture, the school has outdoor learning locations such as a pocket forest and a courtyard garden, as well as this artwork.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Ellensburg School District.

About the Artist

Dyanne Williams is a mosaic artist focusing on the beauty of nature. Her artworks are filled with philosophical contrasts: simplicity amidst complication, harmony amidst conflict, and order amidst chaos. She notes, "Creating mosaics is fulfilling because it is not just the act of designing, but the satisfaction of physically building a work of art." Williams is based in her hometown in the Canton Arts District in Canton, Ohio and in Los Angeles, California.

Medium	Stained glass, glass gems, and glass beads on panels
Dimensions	3 ft 9 in x 27 ft 9 in x 1 in
ID Number	WSAC2023.019.00A-T
Acquisition Method	Site responsive commission
Artist Location	Ohio, United States

Agency	Ellensburg School District
Artwork Location	Ida Nason Aronica Elementary .
WA County	Kittitas County
Placement	Interior
Site Type	Public School
Address	2100 North Cora Street Ellensburg, WA 98926
Geo. Coordinates	47.01325, -120.55763
Before Visiting	Some artworks may be located in areas not accessible to the general public (especially in K-12 public schools). Consider contacting the site prior to a visit to ensure access.
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Cycles, 2025

About the Artwork

About the Artist

Artwork Details

Location Information

Cycles, 2025

About the Artwork

About the Artist

Artwork Details

Location Information

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