MOSAIC PROJECT
Laying Down Roots in Solihull: A Community Mosaic Project
Funded by Solihull Council’s New Communities Team, this project brings together eight local schools and community groups to explore what it means to lay down roots in Solihull. Through themes such as family trees, identity, belonging, and the experience of building new lives, participants will celebrate the stories that make our borough vibrant and diverse.
While many of Solihull’s newest communities come from Ukraine, Hong Kong, and Afghanistan, this project welcomes everyone. Its purpose is to strengthen community cohesion by creating space for shared creativity, connection, and understanding.
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Working with artist Mark Riley, each school is taking part in hands-on workshops to design mosaic artworks inspired by these themes. The completed mosaics will be installed on large slabs in Malvern Park, becoming a permanent piece of public art for residents and visitors to enjoy that celebrates the stories, cultures, and journeys that shape Solihull.
About The Artist
Mark is a Community Artist, and since graduating with a BA (Hons) in Visual Arts & Art History in 1993 has worked in a variety of settings with diverse participants and partners, including schools, children’s centres schools, playcare and within the community.
His practice is process-led, and revolves around helping people think, make sense of where they are and provide an opportunity to express this.
He has a track record of delivering successful activities, from one day workshops, through long term projects to residencies, using mainly recycled and natural materials, and use a broad range of 2D and 3D techniques in his work, including drawing, painting, collage, clay, puppets, willow, and tree dressing to name a few.
A core value of his work is for the participants in his workshops to lead the process of creating and making– not for the artist to take their ideas and produce his or her own interpretation. As far as possible the projects are developed from the participant’s ideas and are all their own work, facilitated by Mark.
Mark worked with Solihull CEP previously on the successful 'My Community, My Heritage, My Place' project (pictured).