On June 6, when Concord 250 kicked off the year-long celebration of Concord’s 250th anniversary with a Dancin’ in the Streets party, Mosaic 250 made its debut. Less than two months later and after eight days of events, the first of four mosaic panels is finally complete.
During the three beautiful days of Concord’s 40th annual Market Days, community members finished the first panel, and some were even able to assist with grouting the artwork (the finalization process to fill in the spaces between the mosaic tiles).
The first panel features symbolic New Hampshire imagery, including the famous Concord Coach, a white-tailed deer and a white birch tree. The artist, Lizz Van Saun of Kast Hill Studio, uses recycled glass tiles for the mosaics and will often incorporate unique pieces such as a real mirror for the Concord Coach’s mirror and real stones along the road. The road that the Concord Coach is riding on is made from vitreous tiles, imported from Italy.
Mosaic 250 is a community art project, presented by Lincoln Financial, JFogg Social Inspirations and Kast Hill Studio. Over the course of community events in Concord, community members are invited to participate in the creation of four mosaic panels that will be presented to the city as a gift for its 250th anniversary in the summer of 2015. All four panels include imagery that is symbolic to Concord and New Hampshire, such as a Concord Coach, the Capitol Dome, an Abenaki Indian, a Karner Blue Butterfly and other New Hampshire wildlife.
The mosaics will be installed publicly in downtown Concord for all residents and visitors to enjoy. The location of the final installation is still to be determined, but organizers are working with downtown building owners to select a location.
An additional benefit to this community art project is exposing people to art. One community member said, “This is my first experience with art, ever, and I’m 60 years old!” Another participant claimed, “This is like therapy; I could stay here all day.”
Mosaic 250 will be at the following community events at the noted times, and community members are invited and encouraged to participate:
∎ Concord Arts Market
Aug. 2, Aug. 16 and Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon; Bicentennial Square; granitestateartsmarket.com.
∎ Porkfest
Aug. 17 from noon to 2 p.m.; Merrill Park; graceeastconcord.org.
∎ Concord Multicultural Festival
Sept. 13 from 1 to 6 p.m.; State House Lawn; concordmulticulturalfestival.org.
