Two mural sculptures created with the help of local residents and schoolchildren will be unveiled in Cwmbran.
Bron Afon Community Housing asked Newport-based mosaic and visual artist, Stephanie Roberts to work on the project. Stephanie had help from local residents and children at Our Lady of the Angels Roman Catholic school in Old Cwmbran.
Stephanie Roberts said: “We had a great time at the individual workshops we held for residents and the children, taking time to develop ideas for initial designs using a printing process, which turned into a gift for each participant in both projects.
“We also invited parents to come along to a session where they could get involved, stick a few tiles down themselves and see what their children had created.”
The murals feature aspects of the natural environment highlighting, flowers, birds, bees and water representing the Afon Llwyd.
When completed, one mosaic sculpture will be placed in green space near The Maltings and Malthouse Close in Llantarnam and the second will be installed near Bron Afon’s Victoria Court flats in Old Cwmbran.
Stephanie explained: “The enthusiasm the community brought to this project is shown in the colours and patterns, now depicted in the mosaics. The patterned background in the school mural was designed by one of the children, which meant we could repeat it and bring in colours to echo the local environment and the Bron Afon building in Victoria Street.
“I use repurposed materials as much as possible, so one mural will be placed on two old railway sleepers and inlayed into repurposed Welsh slate. The other mosaic has a structure that connects to the cenotaph, near its site location.
“I thrive on working with people to make public art for their communities, so it was a real pleasure to take on this project, adding to the work I have done across Torfaen with Nature Isn’t Neat.”
Neil, a resident who helped build one of the murals, said, “I have an interest in mosaics and have built one in my own garden, and this was a chance to learn a new skill. I also met some new neighbours during the project.
“Every day when I see that mosaic, I’ll recognise the parts I had input on, particularly the ivy leaves, which I created the template for. They are all mine!”
Ceri Prosser, headteacher at Our Lady of the Angels RC school, said: “It was such an amazing opportunity for the children to work with Stephanie on this piece and the children gained a real understanding of what it means to have a career in this field.
“Stephanie was brilliant. Her brief was shared with the children along with time scales and it worked so well with the class topic of Gallery Rebels.
“There were so many opportunities for the children to share their ideas and experience using a range of techniques and materials. They enjoyed every moment of working with Stephanie and the final piece of art is just outstanding. We are all so excited to see the completed art in place in the village. Thank you Bron Afon and Stephanie for providing our children with such a wonderful opportunity.”
One of the children said of the mural they worked on, “I like how it uses creativity and I’ll see it every day.”
Gary Colston, Bron Afon’s group head of development and regeneration, said: “We want to say a big thank you to Stephanie, the children at Our Lady of the Angels RC school and the residents who took part in creating these incredible pieces of community artwork.
“We hope the murals will not only enhance their surrounding areas but will also leave a legacy for people to enjoy for years to come.”
Funding for the project comes from Bron Afon as part of planning requirements.