The mosaic mural, “Migration,” was unveiled Saturday, January 26 — two years after the planning and inspiration for Nashville’s new public art piece began.

“Migration” is a 30-foot by 12-foot mosaic mural crowning the façade of the Casa Azafrán Community Center, built by Conexión Américas, and opened in December 2012.

Its colorful tiles were cut and put together by artist Jairo Prado and 300 volunteers, making it a project built by Nashville for Nashville. It took 7 months, in the studio of Jairo and Susan Prado, to build “Migration.”

The mosaic was cut into pieces and transported to Casa Azafrán, where it was put back together, and then taken apart again before sections were hoisted up the scaffolding for installation.

The piece is made of 7,000 tiles from around the world and symbolizes the migrations of all people. The three 3D pieces symbolize the stigmas of the saffron crocus, or azafrán.

The work also was sponsored by the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

  • NOTE: Music in the video is “On My Way” by Nashville-based SHEL and used by permission. (Thank you, SHEL!)
  • To stay up-to-date with happenings at Casa Azafrán please visit the community center’s Facebook page or on Twitter.

Note: If you are on a mobile device and cannot see the embedded slideshow of photos, please click here.