SURPRISE MOSAIC REVEALED AT SALFORD MUSEUM & ART GALLERY TO COMMEMORATE LOCAL MBE

A stunning 3.5ft x 2.5ft mosaic has been revealed to celebrate a local MBE winner whose 30 years' dedication to charity was announced in the December 2022 Honours List.

The mosaic, which took 400 hours to complete, was revealed to Bernadette Conlon, Charity President of mental health charity START, at their 30th anniversary art exhibition 'People & Portraits of Salford' which is currently taking place at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. The mosaic is now in place ready for summer visitors.

Bernadette's MBE commemorates many years of her working in mental health services within disadvantaged communities in Salford and Greater Manchester. She set up the UK's first 'arts on prescription' service in 1993 by delivering art therapy to those suffering with their mental health in Salford, which back then was taking art supplies to people from the boot of her red fiesta and running activities. She then went on to form the START charity, which has helped an estimated 20,000 people across all corners of Salford using creativity, connection, and recovery to improve people's lives.

START's Charity Director, Michelle Dennett, organised the surprise project, which took place with help from funding from The Arts Society.

International mosaic artist Robert Lally, who is from Salford, and who has worked with Bukayo Saka, Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Lloyd Leisure and Nottingham Forest Football Club was commissioned to create the piece of art which includes intricate details of Bernie's iconic hairstyle. The mosaic, which worked from a photo taken by Jeni Sadler, is in ten monochrome tones using textured glass tiles on a matt grey background, creating a 3D effect. Rob used a photo of Bernie to create the mosaic in which she wears a necklace and the finished result glitters in the light.

Coaxed to the gallery to attend a fictitious meeting, colleagues from the charity, which is based just around the corner on Broad Street, as well as the team from Salford Museum and Art Gallery, the big reveal took place to a delighted charity founder now Charity President.

Bernie says:

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'I was extremely surprised when I saw all the staff at the gallery. Michelle had kept it very secret; I had no idea! When I saw the mosaic, I was amazed and thrilled that Rob had created such a stunning artwork. The detail and likeness is incredible. I am really touched that Rob had worked so hard on the piece and it is a wonderful way to mark our 30 years and I am truly grateful to Michelle and all the team at the museum for this fantastic accolade which I love.'

Claire Corrin, Exhibitions Manager at Salford Museum & Art Gallery, said:

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'We're honoured that we could reveal Bernie's mosaic here in the gallery. We are delighted to be working with START to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Salford Museum & Art Gallery has a long history of exhibitions and events that engage local communities, visitors and artists. It is important to us that we continue to support and represent local communities by working in partnership with organisations and artists in Salford and beyond.'

Many service users have been helped by START which is commissioned through what was Salford CCG and now NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care and turned their lives around, going on to become volunteers, peer mentors, board members, staff and tutors.

The exhibition is running until September 24 at Salford Museum & Art Gallery. For more information go to https://salfordmuseum.com/event/start-23/