At Monday’s City Council meeting, Norcross Mayor Craig Newton and councilmembers recognized all of those who have contributed countless hours and support into bringing the Mitchell Road Mosaic Wall to life. Pictured left to right: Dan Watch, Norcross City Council; Josh Bare, Norcross City Council; Craig Newton, Norcross Mayor; Lynette Howard, Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners; Andrew Hixson, Norcross City CouncilIn what began as a spark of creativity for local artist and Norcross Elementary teacher Bobbie Adamczyk, the Mitchell Mosaic quickly became a movement that goes far beyond art and cultural awareness, embracing ideas of community and togetherness.
“Although the lessons in art are important, the mural represents a great deal more for the Norcross community,” commented Adamczyk. “This project has enabled a segment of the community to feel grounded, brought parents into the classroom and provided a connection point for students and the community.”
The Mitchell Road Mosaic Wall, a community effort first conceptualized in 2014, involved more than 1000 students, teachers and volunteers taking part in its creation.Over 125 mosaic disks are now installed on 5 panels stretching 130 feet long, thanks to the contribution of over 1000 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 even the High Museum of Art. Each piece is a celebration of nature, with depictions of seasonal colors, wildlife and plants.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, several individuals and organizations were recognized for their countless hours of service and support in bringing this endeavor to life:
To thank Precision 2000, Inc. for their generous contribution that kick-started the project, Jennifer Freeman, mosaic artist and advisor for the project, designed a lovely mosaic rendition of the P2K logo to install on the wall.o Bobbie Adamczyk, Art Educator, Project Facilitator, and heart and soul of the project
o Jennifer Freeman, Mosaic Artist, and Advisor
o Kassia Morris Sutton, Norcross Elementary School Principal
o Lynnette Howard, Gwinnett County Commissioner
o Carlos Sanchez, President of Precision 2000, Inc.
o Tixie Fowler, Gardens for Growing Community
o Cindy Flynn, Norcross Splash Festivals
o Lionheart Theatre
o John Davis, Public Works Superintendent
o Norcross Public Arts Commission
o Norcross Discovery Garden Park
Additionally, Norcross Elementary School, Beauty Baldwin Elementary School, Beaver Ridge Elementary School, Summerour Middle School, and Norcross High School were all recognized for the wonderful art created by their students and educators.
Fundraising efforts for the project represent once again how truly widespread community involvement reached: Norcross Elementary raised over $4000, Splash Festivals awarded a $2000 grant, Gardens for Growing Community provided a kick-starter donation in the amount of $1000, Gateway85 CID contributed $500, Lionheart Theatre hosted an Art Show with 100% of proceeds going to the effort, and the project’s Go-Fund-Me campaign raised a total of $5707. Many other businesses donated supplies and equipment as well, such as the provision of cement board by Lowe’s.
Of special note is the contribution of Precision 2000, Inc., a large Hispanic and female-owned construction company out of Atlanta, which donated manpower, materials, and equipment to sandblast the old anti-graffiti paint off the wall. Project leadership credits this donation (valued at $10,000) with enabling the entire project to be completed, and for that the entire community is grateful.
At Monday’s City Council meeting, Norcross Mayor Craig Newton and councilmembers recognized all of those who have contributed countless hours and support into bringing the Mitchell Road Mosaic Wall to life. This project was a community effort with more than 1000 students, teachers and volunteers taking part in its creation.“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.”
In the words of Norcross Mayor Craig Newton:
“This project which began in 2014 and is the first of its kind in Gwinnett was indeed a community effort with more than 1000 students, teachers and volunteers taking part in its creation. Art is an economic generator, and with this project comes great energy and civic pride. The City is proud to be a sponsor of such creative unity.”
