More than 1,000 volunteers and dozens of community groups had a hand in "putting together the pieces" for Worcester's Community Mosaic this summer. The 45' x 8', mosaic is installed on the exterior wall of the Lancaster Street entrance to the museum. A public unveiling and community celebration was held on September 16th.

The Design

Earlier this year, mosaic artist Kim Emerson met with individuals and community organizations to discuss their ideas and thoughts about Community and Worcester. Many of the suggestions that Kim gathered are visible in the final design of Worcester's Community Mosaic. These images include a triple-decker, books to represent the city's colleges and universities, the four seasons, a rocket to symbolize Dr. Goddard's contributions to modern rocketry, among other references to the city and its citizens.

The project begins

In preparation for the hundreds of mosaic pieces needed to complete the mural, volunteers met at the Museum to begin cutting and preparing the porcelain tiles. The tiles were initially cut on a tile saw, washed, and organized according to color and shape. The design was then transferred onto fourteen, Durarock panels, each measuring 3'x5'.

Building a work of art, one piece of tile at a time

Beginning on July 10, community groups under the direction of Kim Emerson and two mosaic apprentices worked to complete the fourteen 3' x 5' mosaic panels at sites throughout Worcester. Each week 2-4 community groups engaged in completing a portion of the mural. On August 18th, the last panel was completed. Tile setting will follow immediately with installation and grouting scheduled for the last week of August.

Thank You

The creation of Worcester's Community Mosaic would not be possible without the help of hundreds of volunteers. We are thankful to volunteers from the following community groups who helped lay the pieces in this project: Worcester Community Schools (at May Street, Elm Park and Clark Street schools); Quinsigamond Community College, YouthNet, Fallon Healthcare; AIDS Project Worcester, The Antioch Association of Worcester; Office of Elder Affairs; Black FBI; Centro las Americas; Italian American Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Worcester, and Arts Worcester.

In addition, a dozen community groups including CASA, Rainbow Childcare, and Friendly House among hundreds of other friends of the Museum helped paint 3" square border tiles. Approximately 700 individually painted tiles were needed to complete the classically-styled "Greek key" border that runs around the perimeter of the mural.

Sponsored by the Fallon Foundation. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Worcester Cultural Commission, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Last Updated: December 14, 2000