So the designs all came together today and the mosaic ideas are super. Many of the groups did research around their themes and came to the morning workshop with new designs and print-offs from the Internet.

Really wonderful to know the groups are working on their own and together to find their ideas, create their designs etc. I really enjoyed today, and found the whole day was positive. Ran into some issues with groups not totally clear on the ideas of brainstorming on themes, and moving straight into designs… again a note for future projects:

The importance of the brainstorm section of the project is to gather ideas that represent all the groups who work on the project. These are the partnering groups like TCAC, MtC, the Hospital and the individuals who are working on the project. It is important that the overall themes of each project represent all the groups combined, as this is Community Unity.

We made the mistake of giving each group the location of where the mosaics where going, which affected the overall theme of each mosaic. What we should have done to ensure total community ideas and themes within each mosaic was simply to tell the groups the mosaics would eventually go here, here and there.
Oh well.. these projects are about everyone learning together :)

Group Four: Bridges & Growth
Journal Entry Jo Callahan:
"What being a leader in the Mosaic the City project means to me: this is a new experience for me. This Mosaic the City project is not just about learning how to make a mosaic, I am learning how to listen to my team-mates' needs, thoughts and accommodate those needs."

Journal by: Edel Campbell
"I have always held the belief that art should not be preserved for the minorities who have had the privilege to be exposed to art through formal training. I believe that art is about communication and inclusion. Art should reach out to all communities. I have seen the importance of generating a greater awareness of contemporary art. It not only demystifies the notion of 'Modern Art', it makes art a tool, not only for learning but also for educating, training and promoting personal development.

Art can be something that is accessible, inclusive and relevant. Within a community context, looking at ways in which contemporary artists have dealt with social issues opens up a whole new way in which communities or individuals (who had no previous understanding of contemporary art practice) can tell their own stories."

Local Press:

The local paper, "The Echo", came to the project today and snapped a few shots of all of us in action. I'm not sure when we will be in the paper, but its so great when the media gets out to help pass along the ideas of Mosaic the City and Community Unity!

Leadership :

There was a crazy busy buzz today with everyone busy doing there work. We got planning the celebration and the documentation. The teams are under much pressure to pull together a few months of planning in only a few days, but we are all working together to make this week flow and shine.

Group Two: TCAC as Junction between Art and Community
Journal By: John Carpenter:
"The project expanded my knowledge of mosaic process and I think it will help me create work and projects for myself as an artist through community partnerships. Collaboration as an artist is very important."

Presentation By Maeve McIvor &

Artists from Travart Priorswood-Darndale Traveller Community.

Before lunch break we had a guest presentation from the traveling women's group, who last year created the most wonderful mosaic panels, which tell the story of the traveling people of Ireland. They had much information about community art and the idea of using art to tell a story and educate people. They also shared with us some of the areas they made mistakes with this project and what their plans are for the future. We will be creating a link to this project and the ideas therein. Wonderful information.

Everyone is busy working on their projects, bringing together their skills and learning new ones. The tools are getting a work out and so are the minds of all of us. The documentation team would like to make a power point presentation for Friday's celebration. They are also making storyboards and the like. I hope they start pulling this together with their teams or otherwise they will be working very hard on Thursday to bring it all together.

Journal By: A participant
'As someone who is coming from community development to was a great opportunity to meet artists'

To everyone's excitement we started gluing the mosaics today. Some mosaics are further along than others, while others are struggling with their final designs and only have a few bits down. Tomorrow will be interesting, as we need to have all the mosaics completed so we can grout on Thursday.

I gave them a lesson on gluing and spacing, and let them to it :)

Deborah and Martina made sure the whole week was being video documented. It should be good to see what we are able to create after this power-through week of workshops and mosaic frenzy…

Group Two: TCAC as Junction between Art and Community
Journal By: Sharon Devlin
'The atmosphere was positive. Brilliant. Lots of Energy and great Appreciation! I normally work alone and it was a big thing to come into a group. It was a bit intimidating at first, but I am amazed at how well we all worked together. I am happy with the experience'

John gives some more pointers on cutting tiles ….

Journal Written by Group 4 - Bridges and Growth
"In the final design, the Royal Canal on the North side flows into a flowery creation, which symbolises the creative and educational D I.T. The Grand Canal to the south sprouts leaves - spreading the creative growth. The border depicts a primitive triangle-motif - to frame the modern City with a more ancient flavour - from African mural triangular shapes to Fionn and the legend of The Salmon of Knowledge, in which Fionn scalded his thumb - hence the thumb print in the four corners to complete our mosaic………"

Journal Written by Edel Campbell:
"I was never one for short essays in school, editing perhaps not being my forte. Trying to arrange my thoughts about the 'Mosaic The City' Project is a lot like our group's challenge to come up with our mosaic design - where does one begin?!

If I had to choose a metaphor for the process I would be hard pressed to find a better one than 'Mosaic' itself. I am amongst a lot of colourful parts but I am still watching the grand design unfold. Although I feel like a very small part of the process, I am aware of no greater nor lesser parts than me. However, without the unity of all the parts and the willingness to share we would have no picture at all, or perhaps a smaller less colourful version."

Sarah managed to find a stethoscope for the hospital mosaic, it will look great.. thanks Sarah and the Doctor whom you stole it from :)

Once the groups were given the glue, it was amazing to see their drawings and brainstorms come together on the boards. Everyone is working hard and getting a good sense of the workload involved with a MtC project.

By the end of the day the mosaics had all started to take their shapes.. great to see the Hardibacker board go from gray- to brilliant :)

Special thanks to for supplying the project with all its backer board.. Great to have your support ...