Norcross recently honored community volunteers on the completion of the Mitchell Road Mosaic Mural. The project’s goal was to cultivate community awareness and strengthen relationships while developing civic pride and beautifying an otherwise bland, unremarkable wall.
Led by Jennifer Freeman, mosaic artist and advisor for the project, and local artist and Norcross Elementary teacher Bobbie Adamczyk, the Mitchell Mosaic consists of over 125 mosaic disks installed on 5 panels stretching 130 feet long. The artwork was completed thanks to the contribution of over 1,000 Norcross area students, art educators, teachers, parents and grandparents as well as volunteers from both Discovery Garden Park and the Norcross Garden Club. Workshops were held at the Greene Family Center, Norcross Community Center, and the High Museum of Art. Each piece is a celebration of nature, with depictions of seasonal colors, wildlife and plants.
“This project has been about meeting people where they are—in schools and in the community,” commented Adamczyk. “It has allowed us to meet the needs of the community while pulling education from art and that is a good thing for everyone.”
Fundraising efforts included: $4,000 raised by Norcross Elementary, $2,000 grant from Splash Festivals, $1,000 kick-starter donation from Gardens for Growing Community, $500 from Gateway85 CID, Lionheart Theatre Art Show with donated 100 percent of proceeds, and the project’s Go-Fund- Me campaign raised a total of $5,707.
Precision 2000, Inc. donated man power, materials and equipment to sandblast the old anti-graffiti paint off the wall valued at $10,000. Many other businesses donated supplies and equipment as well, such as the provision of cement board by Lowe’s.
About the Author
