Over the last year, Jackie Nash, a local Mosaic artist has been creating a beautiful mosaic now on display at Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre.

Below you can hear from different members of the Primrose team about their reflections about the mosaic. We also spoke to Jackie about her work and what inspired the piece:

Jackie:
“My current work is predominantly inspired by the natural world, particularly the flora and fauna I see in the fields around where I live when I’m walking my dogs.

It’s with thanks to the generous sponsorship from Arts Council England, plus support from The Bromsgrove Society, Elliott Nash Ltd and Marmox UK who I have been very fortunate to work alongside Primrose Hospice to produce a Summer garden mosaic inspired by a lovely book called ‘Water Bugs and Dragonflies’.

This is a story told to the children and young people at the Hospice as part of their support to help them process what happens when someone they love is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness or someone they love dies. It’s hoped the mosaic will be a way to engage with children and patients to support their services.

The Hospice patients also suggested imagery for the mosaic, such as butterflies, primroses and dragonflies, making this a personal project for everyone at the Hospice.”

Jenni – Children’s Team Lead:
“In the Children’s Team, we have been lucky enough to have worked with Jackie on multiple projects: a beautiful tree and robin with our Explorations group and some coasters with our Teen Group. All of the children have really enjoyed getting involved and have been so proud of what they have been able to create.

The mosaics which were created with our Explorations Group were extra special as each child was able to pick glass/stones in colours relevant to someone special in their lives or someone they were coming to remember – giving a personal connection to the creations.

In the session with our Teen Group they were all able to make a coaster which they could take home with them and either keep or gift to someone special. We were a bit hesitant at first as to whether it would appeal to them, but they all really enjoyed the activity and it gave us an opportunity to focus on an activity while talking as a group.

As a team we are enjoying using the beautiful large ‘Water Bugs and Dragonflies’ mosaic that Jackie has created. This story is often used in the work we do, and it is brilliant to have a visual interpretation of the story to explore with them. We hope to also use the mosaic in our group work in the future.”

Angélique – Chief Operating Officer:
“The mosaic reflects the work of the Hospice; it is aesthetically beautiful and compliments the Hospice’s beautiful gardens, which are freely accessible to all. The design supports the work we do, particularly the Children’s Team.

We’ve had some great feedback already, including: ‘It’s such a beautiful work of art that will bring joy to so many. What a lovely special background story, resulting in a spectacular piece of work.’

We knew very little about mosaic art before the project, but Jackie has willingly shared the techniques with staff, patients and clients (including children) to show them how mosaic art is created. There is such joy and pride in being fully involved in such an incredible project from start to finish.

The Children’s Team are actively using the mosaic to engage in conversations around death and dying with the young people we support. The team have held multiple workshops with Jackie to enable the children to be actively involved in mosaic art – they have thoroughly enjoyed it! Jackie’s approach has been warm, caring and enabled children to actively (and safely) participate in creating mosaics.”

Jackie:
“I’ve also had the opportunity to work with the children, patients and staff to teach them how to make mosaics, which was really enjoyable. Collaboratively we’ve made several mosaics which are now on display at the Hospice.
I’m genuinely grateful to have had the chance to work alongside everyone at the Hospice, as it has been an immensely fulfilling experience for me.”

Please do pop into the Hospice to see the mosaic for yourself. From everyone at Primrose Hospice we’d like to thank Jackie for her hard work and dedication in creating this beautiful mosaic that will be admired and shared for many years to come.

Click here to read the story Water Bugs and Dragonflies – the inspiration behind the mosaic.

If you’d like to find out more about the care and support we provide at Primrose Hospice & Family Support Centre please visit: primrosehospice.org/how-do-i-make-a-referral

Or call: 01527 871051