A season of ‘unveilings’

Well, friends, my April, May and June have been a busy old time,  doing two community mosaic projects here in London. Now they are both complete and there is rather a lot of celebrating and ‘unveiling’ going on!

Last weekend, the Mayor of Camden joined about 150 other people at the Sudanese Women’s Associationin Kilburn, to celebrate and unveil the wonderful creative work done by local women. A large (1.5 x 1.5 metre) mosaic was part of the project which aimed to create friendships between women of different cultures, which this project achieved most beautifully (funny how easy it is to talk and share stories when your hands are busy making something).

The feedback from these wonderful people (aged 3 – 91, from a wide range of cultures) was so touching. “We never thought we could do something like this, but you came along and showed us and without realising it, we were doing it!” And a great job they did (and worked soooo hard to boot). There are tiles left over, the group has caught the mosaic bug and the next projects are being plotted and planned!

The second community project was with Wandsworth Social Services Click Team which works with children and young people who are in state care.

This group of around 20 young people wanted to brighten up the Social Services reception area and so I hatched the idea to mosaic a giant ‘Welcome’!

For two solid days (and a few round the edges by yours truly) the group glued a huge variety of tiles on the giant letters (this included nuggets, vitreous tiles, millefiore and soft glass – great for working with kids). It was great fun and took me back to my youth & social work days!

The outcome is vibrant, cheerful and striking – this is no whisper of a ‘Welcome’ sign!

It will be mounted and unveiled on July 19th – I’m really looking forward to seeing it in its new home.

Lastly, I am at my third unveiling this Thursday, for the North London Hospital Mosaic wall which features this mosaic of mine alongside many others from all over the world. I know its going to be amazing!

What is so cool about having facilitated this recent crop of community mosaics (including last December with Star/KKF refugee youth club) is that it has bought together the two worlds that I have spent my life working in – mosaics (for nearly 3 years as my profession) and social / community work (for 22 years). Serendipity eh?

12 Responses to “A season of ‘unveilings’”

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  1. get stuff done says:

    love love love the welcome sign!

  2. CalyxAnn says:

    Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Concetta!

  3. Sy says:

    WOW!!!!!! Stunning work C, must have taken ages!

  4. Louise Gale "Dream-Inspire-Create" says:

    WOW WOW WOW Concetta, what amazing projects you have been working on. Especially the one world piece and the welcome piece is divine too. So many happy people who will be looking at these as years to come. Hope all is fabulous with you, sorry ive been away – the last few months have just been…well full of change – been riding the roller coaster! xx

  5. zeynep says:

    How nice workshop !! My favourite letters are "E" and "C". They looks wonderful on the lawn. Thanks for sharing..

  6. Concetta says:

    Thanks lovely people! x

  7. Concetta says:

    C is my fave Zeynep – so simple but so effective!

  8. zeynep says:

    Could you tell me please which materials are used to fix tiles when making mosaics ?
    (i want to try simple one at home :))

  9. Concetta says:

    hi zeynep. PVA (white wood glue) for indoors and cement adhesive (powder form and mixed with water) for outdoors. Also use clear silicone (sort that goes round your bath). See here for more on this one. http://glitteringshards.blogspot.com/2011/02/childrens-mosaic-tea-light-holder.html

  10. zeynep says:

    Thanks for your helps Concetta..

  11. blue sky butterfly studio says:

    LOVE THIS CONCETTA!!You are marvellous, they look amazing x

  12. AG Ambroult says:

    serendipity indeed! YOU are pretty much a rock star, friend. I am so proud of you! Those projects are all amazing, each in their own way. This all must be so satisfying for you, to bring your two career worlds together. *sighing a happy sigh*