History has a way of marking its own milestones. On her 86th birthday, Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, was honored for a career defined by breaking barriers and reshaping American politics.
To celebrate her trailblazing career and service to the country, Pelosi was given something more lasting. A mosaic titled Shattered, created by Maryland artist Jennifer Wagner, was presented by Sharon Pratt on behalf of the Institute of Politics, Policy, and History at Trinity Washington University.
The piece itself is striking. A powerful woman in high heels strides forward, undeterred, across a field of broken glass. Behind her, an American flag unfurls, alive in motion.
Wagner, the artist behind Shattered, is a Maryland mosaic artist whose work is rooted in transformation. She now lives in Baltimore but continues to create and teach from her studio in Easton, where glass, tile, and discarded fragments are gathered and given new life.
“I wanted this woman to be confidently striding forward, in her heels, carrying the struggles and the wind and everything that comes with it,” Wagner said. “She doesn’t even notice the broken glass at her feet. She only looks forward to what is next.”
Wagner’s work is tactile and deliberate. Every shard matters. Every piece carries weight. And when assembled, those fragments tell a story not of damage, but of resilience.
“When I created the piece, I was thinking about the unseen moments of frustration that every woman must endure and through which she must persevere,” Wagner said. “It takes great strength to work harder and receive less recognition and compensation.”
The mosaic is a fitting piece for a subject like Pelosi.
In a room filled with leaders, including Muriel Bowser, Steny Hoyer, Katherine Clark, and Jay Jones, it was Wagner’s work that quietly took center stage.
The piece was acquired through Zenith Gallery, where owner Margery Goldberg reflected on the moment.
“Zenith Gallery was honored to have former Mayor Sharon Pratt, founder of the Institute of Politics, Policy, and History at UDC, select Jennifer Wagner’s mosaic Shattered—a powerful reflection on breaking the glass ceiling—and present it to Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi at Trinity Washington University, her alma mater,” Goldberg said.
Wagner’s mosaics have found homes in schools across Washington, D.C., and in private collections. Her work lives where people can see it, touch it, and feel it—where art becomes part of everyday life.
And now, one of her pieces marks a moment in history.
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The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
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