Description

With help from more than 1,000 volunteers, as a “moveable feast” assembled all over the city by dozens of community groups, this large mosaic was designed and created by Kim Emerson, whose father was actually born in Worchester. This community project was produced during the summer months of the year 2000, and when Kim Emerson had the opportunity to retrace her paternal roots.

In 2005, the entire multi-panel mural was relocated from its original Lancaster Street location, and to the Worcester Art Museum's - Stoddard Garden Court. In its new location, the mural provides inspiration to year-round museum students, ambience to summer cafe diners, and a colorful backdrop for a myriad community events.

“The Community Mosaic has become a touchstone for the community—there are many stories about how making the mosaic had an unbelievable impact on people's lives,” said Honee A. Hess, the Museum's director of education.

Inspired by the Worcester Art Museum's renowned collection of Roman floor mosaics, unearthed from the ancient city of Antioch, Worcester’s Community Mosaic reflects the themes of “Worcester” and “community.” Its design celebrates the city's diversity, history, learning institutions, inventors, neighborhoods and culture; including representations of the four seasons, a triple decker house, Robert Goggard’s rocket, and of course - the heart of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

To create the mural, the Worcester Art Museum commissioned the artist Kim Emerson to work in residence with two apprentices, and enlisted the help of community members ranging in ages from 5 to 80. Children and adults at 14 community schools and organizations—including May Street, Elm Park and Clark Street schools; Quinsigamond Community College Women's Center; 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—all worked with Emerson on the mural project. In addition, 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 “Greecian key” border design that runs around the perimeter of the mural, as well as the original 1880’s WAM building.

The Worcester Community Mosaic project was sponsored by Fallon Foundation, and 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.