An event to showcase the work of the WEA in Oxfordshire took place on Friday May 18 at the Town Hall, Oxford. One of the central exhibitions was an outstanding community mosaic created by Headington and Barton residents. This is the first project the WEA has funded using its Adler Legacy.
Lawrence Goldman spoke movingly about Freddie and Catherine Adler, who met on a WEA course that Catherine was teaching. They were an inspirational couple who embodied the ethos of adult education and lifelong learning. When they died they left in excess of £100k to the WEA, with the wish that it continue its educational work in Oxford.
As part of a community engagement and volunteer recruitment project to launch the legacy free mosaic workshops were held at a range of venues, from a children's centre to a sheltered home for the frail elderly. The project, in partnership with Ruskin College, aimed to reach all members of the community. The eight-panelled mosaic was designed in consultation with residents, Ruskin staff and students and WEA volunteers, incorporating the values and colours of WEA and Ruskin. A video of the project, incorporating many memories of the Adlers can be seen here.
Henry Tam also spoke inspiringly at the event, encouraging us to use our educational programmes to increase awareness, agitation and action in addressing social issues through a co-operative approach to problem solving.
The mosaic will be installed in Ruskin College's new state of the art facility in time for the opening ceremony on Saturday 27th October.
For more information about the Adler legacy click here.
Photograph by Teresa Munby. Mosaic design by Clare Goodall