After two years of planning, preparation and plain hard work, on October 12, 2001, “Tiger Spot”, a 30 foot in diameter glass tile mosaic, was unveiled on the University of Missouri campus. The idea was conceived by Paul Jackson, who holds a Masters of Fine Arts from Mizzou and has received national and international acclaim for his watercolors. Born from his painting of the same name, a circular portrait of a Bengal tiger’s face, the artist’s ambitious project involved incredibly detailed plans and the assistance of over 100 volunteers of all ages to complete.

In November of 2000, Paul traveled to Italy to oversee the production of 350,000 glass tiles of various colors, weighing 1.5 tons, that would be used in the mosaic. After the glass arrived in Columbia, Missouri, the volunteers, under Paul’s direction, started laying the tiles in 201 panels, each containing a drawing of a section of the tiger, with instructions on what colors to use and where to place them. A gymnasium was turned into a studio to provide the space needed to be able to lay out the panels in preparation for installation.

After many months of off and on site work, usually going from early morning to late into the night, on October 12, 2001, the protective work tent was removed and “Tiger Spot” was officially dedicated. Governor and First Lady Bob and Lori Holden, the university’s chancellor, various deans and an audience of over 300, including volunteers, benefactors, students, the media and the fascinated, enjoyed the spectacular beauty of Missouri's famous mascot, and the largest single-subject mosaic ever created.