Your Community

'Welcome' to Aston Hall

The artwork depicts the likes of Jamilia, Benjamin Zephania and Ozzy Osborne and spells out the word 'Welcome' in giant letters.

It measures nearly 4' x 10' and is made from hundreds of pieces of glass tesserae, mirrors and tiles.

Community artist Karen Osborne enlisted the help of 230 students from Broadway School in Aston to create a mosaic to welcome visitors to Aston Hall.

Close up of the 'W'

The piece will hang at the entrance to the hall's new community building that is being built as part of an £11 million regeneration project.

"I spent a month at Broadfield School in Aston," said Karen. "Around 230 pupils from years eight to eleven were involved in the project, from coming up with initial drawings to physically creating the mosaic.

Pupils at work

"The design is based on a variety of cultural symbols and people who represent the community of Birmingham and includes a Chinese dragon, the Cadbury's creme egg, an Irish dancer (who forms part of the exclamation mark) and a Somalian woman."

The mosaic will be on display in Aston Hall from 2009 and Karen and the pupils are hopeful that the real Jamilia or Zephania will be on hand to help unveil it.

Karen Osborne

Karen Osborne runs kaos-arts who offer a wide portfolio of arts based projects for schools,community centres, museums and arts events.

Karen Osborne

For more information visit: