NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
A new south Nashville multi-cultural community center is creating a landmark one piece at a time, and the community is already heavily involved.
The community center is owned by Conexion Americas, a non-profit that works with Latino families in Middle Tennessee.
The name of the multi-purpose community center is Casa Azafrán - two Spanish words that translate to "House of Saffron." Saffron is the richest, most expensive spice in the world, so it's an idea that fits the services that will be provided inside.
While the community center now looks big, brown and a lot like most buildings you've seen, soon it will be adorned by a beautiful mosaic.
Overseeing the effort is Jairo Prado - the go-to guy for years on the Nashville mural scene.
The pieces are arranged like a puzzle, one by one. The mosaic, which is open to help from the community, is a monster art project, but art masters need not apply.
"Absolutely not. We have young kids with parents, all ages and all backgrounds. who don't have to know anything about art to be involved," Prado said.
Excellent and colorful, the mosaic called Migration aims to be a reflection of the many cultures the building will represent as a gateway to Nashville immigrants.
"It's gonna be outdoors. People will see it, so I aim to do my best. Maybe this is the beginning of my bestest of my bestest," Prado said, laughing.
Casa Azafrán will also be the new home for a handful of important Nashville nonprofit agencies. That includes the Global Education Center, Family & Children's Service, the YWCA of Nashville and Middle Tennessee, as well as United Neighborhood Health Services.
For more information on the beautiful mosaic mural or if you want to help piece it together, visit: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prado-Studio/286549619585.
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