Celebration events for Redditch’s most famous works of art will begin this week in honour of their 40th anniversary.

On April 22nd Arts in Redditch and Redditch Borough Council will be launching series of celebrations commemorating the Eduardo Paolozzi Mosaics, which are located in Milward Square of the Kingfisher Shopping Centre.

The events are in response to a survey conducted in late 2022, which saw a near-unanimous 94.5% of respondents suggest that celebrating the works was a good idea.

From 12pm this Saturday, outside of the Range, former Birmingham Poet Laureate “Spoz” (Giovanni Esposito) and Holly Winter-Hughes of The Word Association CIC, will be hosting free drop-in poetry workshops throughout the afternoon, encouraging Redditch residents to write and perform their own interpretations of the works.

Later in the evening, from 7pm there will also be a free, ticketed event by Coffee #1. This event will feature two talks, one about the history of the artist and the mosaics by Philip Roberts, a Trustee of Arts in Redditch, and another about the survey results and future plans for celebrating the works by Niall Gallen, a Midlands4Cities funded PhD Candidate at the University of Birmingham who was responsible for producing the survey.

Niall said: “This event represents an exciting start to a series of celebrations of the works; something that 94.5% of respondents to our survey about the works agreed was a ‘good idea’. Eduardo Paolozzi is a world-renowned artist, often considered a forefather of the Pop movement. Next year, 2024, is also his centenary year, meaning that this is the perfect opportunity to both educate about and bring attention to the works. I strongly encourage anybody with an interest in local art and/or the town’s history to come along!”

The evening will also be hosted by Spoz, who will also be performing an exciting new poem responding to the works and encouraging viewers to look at the artwork with fresh eyes.

Refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the evening from Coffee #1 and Car Park 2 will also remain open later to accommodate parking for the event.

Tickets are limited but available to order at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/milward-mosaics-40th-anniversary-celebration-tickets-603362683027

This event follows the unveiling of a project by Heart of Worcestershire College Students reimagining the mosaics at 10am on April 21st.

Arts Development Officer for Redditch Borough Council, Huw Moseley, said: “We are very excited about this event and are really looking forward to celebrating a significant portion of Redditch’s heritage with residents. So, if you’re interested in an evening of art, history, and culture this weekend, reserve your ticket today!”