Public art unveiled in Townhill Park and Harefield
On Thursday 14 October, the unveiling of two large mosaics in Townhill Park and Harefield took place, completing the 'Mosaic Way' community art project.
The unveiling of two large mosaics completes the ongoing project that local residents across Townhill Park, Harefield and Midanbury have been involved in over the past two years alongside SO18 Big Local, TWICS and community artists Gillian Jeffery and Will Rosie, Southampton's very own 'Mr Mosaic'. The large mosaics being the newest additions to over 60 mosaic tiles, creating a trail around the area and road signs with mosaic images which were painstakingly digitised so they could be transferred with every detail intact.
To celebrate the unveiling of the newest mosaics and the completion of Mosaic Way, an event took place at Townhill Park with SO18 Big Local Partnership Committee, TWICS Trustees, local Councillors, Southampton City Council officers and the community artists and residents involved in the creations. Starting with the first unveiling at Townhill Park Community Centre, attendees were taken on a short tour of the individual pieces of nearby artwork across the neighbourhood. Shortly after, the second large mosaic was unveiled at Harefield on Exford Avenue. Both mosaics represent the boundary shape of the neighbourhood and feature recognisable landmarks, buildings and local wildlife. Some of the featured creatures include foxes, hedgehogs, hares and varieties of birds and wildflowers.
SO18 Big Local Chair, Kim Ayling said:
“I have loved watching residents come together to learn new skills and make new friends. This project has been about more than art but about reducing isolation and loneliness in our community over the last 18 months, at a time when we have felt more disconnected than ever.
“This ongoing project has shown the resilience of our community and everyone involved from first ideas to the challenges of lockdown. Knowing how hard everyone has worked on their mosaics, it fills me with pride to see them displayed around our neighbourhoods and these two new large mosaics proudly bring Mosaic Way together.
“This project is yet another example of what a group of residents can achieve when coming together. The mosaics have brought colourfulness, skill building and happiness to us all in Townhill Park and Harefield.”
Mosaic Way originated in conversations following a project supporting residents to “adopt” and design then paint a bollard on Kingsdown Way. Each of the mosaics have been inspired by flowers, birds and animals common to the Townhill Park and Harefield areas and have been funded by People’s Health Trust using money raised through the Health Lottery South East and SO18 Big Local. They give a sense of identity to the area, while bringing residents together and allowing them to learn new skills.
Local community artist, Will Rosie, said:
“It is always a pleasure to work closely with SO18 Big Local and the local community. Being able to share new skills with residents and see everyone's creativity come to life is why I do what I do. The passion the community have to get involved and have an impact is a special thing to be part of.”
Councillor Daniel Fitzhenry, Leader of Southampton City Council, attended the unveiling of the Townhill Park mosaic and added:
“It’s a privilege to be at the unveiling of this great mosaic in Townhill Park. The mosaic brings together all the things the local community feel and are proud of about their local area whilst highlighting their creativity and how much their local area means to them.
“SO18 Big Local and all the residents are a really integral part of us regenerating this area and making it an even better community for the people who live here.
“I hope everyone can see and appreciate the beauty of these designs which aim to bring people together for a happier community.”
The landmark regeneration of Townhill Park will deliver hundreds of new homes and a new community green space that will benefit everyone. Townhill Green is part of infrastructure improvements for the regeneration of Townhill Park and is funded through a £3.75M Homes England grant. It will allow residents to have more community green space and feature seating to provide additional socialising areas. The feature seating gives residents an opportunity to get involved in another community art project by sharing their ideas and creating even more mosaics alongside Will Rosie. Following a community engagement event, it was decided the mosaics at Townhill Green will continue the nature theme of the local mosaic trail already around Townhill Park.
Other key features of the of Townhill Green include a children’s play area, outdoor adult gym suitable for all fitness levels, two community shelters, large open space for recreational use and community events, planted eco-wall to add colour and support wildlife, accessible parking and provision for a concession stand along Ozier Road.
View the mosaic locations and download a Mosaic Way Spotter Sheet on SO18 Big Local's website.
