Mosaic stones in memory of Karen Edlund

Sign, by Emily Bhargava

Karen Edlund, a founding board member of the New England Mosaic Society, was a powerhouse in the world of public health and reproductive health, community organizing and community building. She meant so much to so many people. To me she was a friend, neighbor and mentor. Since Karen’s passing last November, her husband Phil and I thought about ways to create a collaborative mosaic in her memory. With the help of many NEMS members, we have turned Irving street in Somerville, where Karen lived for decades, into a mosaic path, with colorful mosaic stones and pavers made in Karen’s memory placed at the bases of the city trees and on the edges of lawns and gardens all along the street.We ended up with 32 colorful and meaningful stones of all sizes and shapes. In front of Karen’s house at #10 Irving Street, Phil has hung laminated copies of the mosaic map that we made to indicate where each of the stones is placed and to share the names of the many artists who contributed. Phil has been walking friends and neighbors down the street for months, stopping at my house to say hello when I’m outside. Strangers have stopped me on the street to exclaim and ask about the mosaics, and children use the street like a mosaic treasure hunt. The memorial has exceeded my expectations, creating something that’s meaningful and beautiful that can be enjoyed by anyone who walks down the street. Thank you to everyone who contributed your art and your spirit. I hope that each of you will find time in the spring to visit Irving Street to see a small part of what Karen’s life inspired.