Two large mosaics have been unveiled in Townhill Park and Harefield, marking the completion of the ‘Mosaic Way’ community art project.

It completes the project that local residents across Townhill Park, Harefield and Midanbury have been involved in over the past two years, alongside SO18 Big Local, TWICS and community artists Gillian Jeffery and Will Rosie – Southampton's very own 'Mr Mosaic'.

The large mosaics are the newest additions to the ‘Mosaic Way’ trail of over 60 resident-made exhibits displayed around the area.

Road signs have also incorporated mosaic images, which were painstakingly digitised so they could be transferred with every detail intact.

The first unveiling of the new mosaics took place at an event on October 14 at Townhill Park Community Centre, where attendees were taken on a short tour of the individual pieces of nearby artwork across the neighbourhood.

Shortly after, the second large mosaic was unveiled at Harefield on Exford Avenue. Both represent the boundary shape of the neighbourhood and feature recognisable landmarks, buildings and local wildlife. Some of the featured creatures include foxes, hedgehogs, hares and varieties of birds and wildflowers.

Left to right: Will Rosie, local community artist; Kim Ayling, chair of SO18 Big Local; and Cllr Dan Fitzhenry, leader of Southampton City Council

SO18 Big Local Chair, Kim Ayling said: “I have loved watching residents come together to learn new skills and make new friends. This project has been about more than art but about reducing isolation and loneliness in our community over the last 18 months, at a time when we have felt more disconnected than ever.

“This ongoing project has shown the resilience of our community and everyone involved from first ideas to the challenges of lockdown. Knowing how hard everyone has worked on their mosaics, it fills me with pride to see them displayed around our neighbourhoods and these two new large mosaics proudly bring Mosaic Way together.

She said it was another example of what a group of residents can achieve when coming together.

“The mosaics have brought colourfulness, skill building and happiness to us all in Townhill Park and Harefield,” she added.

• There's more information about the Mosaic Way, a map of mosaics and a downloadable spotter sheet on SO18 Big Local's website.