Get stuck in to more Mercian Mosaic workshops this Easter
Tamworth residents of all ages are being given another opportunity to contribute towards the amazing Mercian Mosaic community art project at a series of free workshops this Easter.
Mercian Mosaic will see 1,400 individual yard-square tiles being decorated by people of all ages to create a large and striking Saxon-themed image, which will be laid out on the lower lawn of Tamworth Castle Grounds for one day only on Saturday, July 14th.
Hundreds of tiles have already been completed by willing volunteers from across the town, including from schools, church and community groups, sheltered housing schemes and art groups.
The project took a great step forward during open workshops in February half-term which saw hundreds of people popping in to the base of operations in Ankerside Shopping Centre to get creative alongside artist Maggie Carney.
The sessions were so successful and the feedback was so great that Maggie will be hosting another series of workshops during the Easter break.
Maggie, who has created the intricate 70-yard by 20-yard mosaic design, said: “The February half-term workshops were amazing. We had lots of people of all ages and abilities coming in and a good chunk of the work was completed, but there is still a lot of work to do. Everyone really enjoyed it last time and I’m hoping people take advantage of another opportunity to come and join me, pick up a paintbrush, get creative and contribute towards something that really will be an amazing community effort to celebrate Tamworth’s Anglo-Saxon history.”
The Easter workshops take place on Wednesday, April 4, Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6, between 10am and 12pm and 1pm-3pm each day, in the unit near Druckers.
Anyone who would like to take part, but is unable to attend the open sessions, is invited to pop in and lend a hand whenever they see Maggie working away in the unit.
The striking overall design features key elements of the town’s Anglo Saxon history, incorporating its landmark buildings, rivers and people, as well as details such as Tamworth pigs, dragons, fish, the Staffordshire knot and Mercian flag.
At the centre is Tamworth’s ‘Lady of the Mercians’ Aethelflaed, who played a pivotal role in English history by building a chain of fortifications against Viking invaders throughout the Kingdom of Mercia.
Her fortification of Tamworth in 913 AD became the forerunner to Tamworth Castle. Daughter of Alfred the Great, Aethelflaed’s accession as a female ruler has been described as one of the most unique events in early medieval history.
This year marks the 1100th anniversary of Aethelflaed’s death in Tamworth and the laying of the mosaic on July 14 will form part of a weekend of celebrations to mark the occasion.
Mercian Mosaic is one of several initiatives taking place as part of Arts in Unusual Spaces – a two-year scheme made possible with funding from Arts Council England to bring art to new and interesting spaces across the town.
Tamworth artist Maggie has been working on the project for more than a year, with help from more than a thousand local residents.
Jeff Wigley, Ankerside Shopping Centre manager, said: “It was great to see so many people taking part in the Mercian Mosaic workshops during half-term and we’re looking forward to seeing her host another series of workshops this Easter. It’s been fascinating to watch the project taking shape over the last few months and we can’t wait to see final mosaic when it goes on display in July.”
