Somersfield Academy Unveils Community Mosaic for Bermuda’s 400th Anniversary

Tile with Style: Somersfield Academy's "A Tribute to Bermuda" mosaic in celebration of Bermuda's 400th Anniversary was designed by the school's art teacher and mosaic designer Kendra Earls with parent and tiler Jonathan Trott

October 06, 2009 — Many events have focused on Bermuda's past and future as part of the Island's 400th anniversary celebrations.

Somersfield Academy found a way in which its students, parents, staff and members of the community could be involved – a mosaic entitled 'A Tribute to Bermuda'.

The mosaic was designed by the school's art teacher Kendra Earls. Somersfield development office director Megan Troake said: "Last spring the Somersfield staff had a desire to celebrate Bermuda's 400th birthday and we came together and decided to pay tribute through a permanent, collaborative piece of art.

"We went outside to look around the property to determine a location for our idea and that was when our head of school, Dr. Jim Christopher, had a vision in the empty frame on the exterior of the gymnasium wall."

The next step was finding an artist. "We looked within and found Kendra Earls," Ms Troake said. "Kendra designed the beautiful scene you see today that illustrates, not only the beginning of Bermuda, but our growth over the centuries."

Assistance was provided by craftsman Jonathan Trott, the father of one of its students and several companies – Pembroke Tile and Stone, BAC, Eurotile, Arnold's Tile, Sousa's Landscaping and Baptiste Builder's Supply. "We explained our purpose to them and all seemed keen and eager to participate," Ms Troake added.

"We started the project at our spring fair asking participants to donate 400 cents ($4) to be a part of a work of art.

"Oddly enough, we raised just over $400 that day. The money earned was donated back towards the project."

The mosaic was truly a community event, she said.

"It took two months and over 75 volunteers – led by Kendra and Jonathan – to complete the mosaic. "The sails were the last to go on. Together, with the help of our donors, students and families, we created what we feel is a beautiful mosaic that looks as though it was meant to be there all along."

Chairman of the Bermuda 2009 Committee, Conchita Ming, was one of the special guests at the mosaic's unveiling on September 25.

Originally published in The Royal Gazette