“Small Moments”
Acrylic and spray paint on MDF
A triptych by artist, Jeru Nomi
As part of a creative initiative supported by local arts charity Creative Youth, Mental Health Ambassadors at Kingston College successfully applied for funding from Trustees to design and create a vibrant new mural centred on the theme of “Community and Belonging.”
To bring the project to life, four Street Art Workshops were held in the College Common Area at Kingston Hall Road, led by renowned local street artist Jeru Nomi. Each workshop introduced the 20 students to a different street art skill, including stencilling, doodling, collage and mural planning.
Jeru shared insights into the rich history of street art, along with expert demonstrations of tools and techniques. Students enthusiastically engaged in hands-on sessions and were proud to take home their own pieces of art at the end of each workshop.
Students worked closely with Jeru to help shape the design of the collaborative mural. Through shared ideas, personal artwork and thoughtful discussions, they explored what “Community and Belonging” means to them.
Jeru commented: “Gathering around the table was one thing that came out of the workshops. Talking, laughing, playing, eating are all small moments that centre around this space. I wanted to show a collection of different people enjoying each other’s company. You have the introvert reading their comic, the group sharing an anecdote, the couple playing a card game. Each person has a sense of belonging, each character can be their authentic self. PlayStation games, table tennis and music are all key parts of the student experience. These activities are set as a backdrop that show how the gatherings are encouraged.”
Artist Bio
Jeru Nomi is an illustrator and muralist from Kingston Upon Thames. In 2007, Jeru found a piece of art that would change her way of image making forever. The engraving, by Claude Mellan, was made entirely out of one line and was called “Face of Christ”. Maybe this was divine intervention, because it inspired her to start using the technique in her own work. 18 years on and Jeru is still creating work with lines and patterns, only now she has the confidence to share it with the world.
