The Turtle Stones of Ell Pond
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
I love finding art in the most unexpected places.
If you’re sitting on the red granite benches by the dog park and gazing out over Ell Pond, look down. Embedded along the ground are beautiful mosaic tiles of turtles—part of the public-art installation known as “The Turtle Stones of Ell Pond.” The project was created by local artist Lisa Bright Tiemann, the visionary organizer behind the well-known Green Man community mosaic.
Back in 2009, Lisa collaborated with Melrose High School student Michelle “Belle” Casale, who apprenticed with her to learn stained-glass techniques. Together, they worked on the Turtle Walk mosaic project, which was installed at Ell Pond that same June — adding color, whimsy, and a touch of nature to an already beloved place.
Lisa Tiemann was a Melrose artist, teacher, and nature lover. Over her career she created hundreds of stained-glass, mosaic, and mixed-media commissions for homes, offices, and public spaces across the community. Her work continues to surprise and delight those who stumble upon it.
Lisa passed away on February 10, 2024, but her art — and her love of nature — live on in Melrose.
Take a moment next time you walk by Ell Pond. Look down. You might just see something magical.
