Walsall Council helped us launch a targeted art competition as part of the Queens of the City project.
3 schools participated in our exclusive art pilot, which forms part of our larger art initiative later in the year. The students were encouraged to present an illustration or an artwork of their choice titled ‘My Queen’.
The art piece needed to be of a woman in their lives that they felt they could crown their ‘Queen’.
I admire my mother's collected and grounded attitude towards any struggles she faces...
What is your name?
Nassia
How is the lady in the picture connected to you?
Family
What is her favourite meal?
Lahanodolmades (Cabbage rolls), with white lemon sauce. Remids her of Sunday family dinners in Greece.
Inspiration.
She has the ability to let go of hate and anger, which to me is an indicator of maturity, wisdom and strength.
My mother also taught the importance of family, above all else. When I was told I had to move to England as a little kid, I was upset at the thought of leaving my home and friends behind.
She reminded me that whatever we go, we bring home with us. Her advice helped me deal with the experience of moving to another conuntry at a young age.
My art piece was based on a woman who I see as my 'Queen' and, inspiring role model in my life, who is my mother.
I see this woman as a selfless and empathetic human being, due to her willingness to make others feel confident and happy within themselves.
My mother has been doing hair for over 20 years, and it has always been her passion throughout her childhood. This then later in her life gave her the idea to launch her very own hair business in 2009 – ‘Rana Hair’.
During the early and middle stages of her business, she worked as a mobile hairdresser for many clients, as well as working with the elderly, such as older women in nursing homes suffering from dementia.
She did this all whilst working full-time at another job from 2011 – 2017. This all later led her to make the concious decision to open her very own salon in 2019, bringing her new opportunities and developments for her business. For example, she has dealt with hundreds of men and women experiencing hair loss, with over 50 clients who have suffered from cancer and under going chemotherapy.
My mother is seen as a light to bring back confidence and happiness inside and out, making htem fell more at ease and at peace with their life.
Her hard work and contributions has experienced recognition all across the UK, such as being in the ‘UK Time Magazine’ and winning ‘Best Replacement Salon’ in 2023 & 2024.
My artwork demonstrates this, as it is a painting of my pmother and a client who experienced cancer and later passed away. This not only change the is woman’s life by bringing that spark back to her and her family that felt as if it was missing., but my mother’s hadwork brough many new clients for my mother to work with, and to feel as if they were not alone. As she is willing to give all her help and support to making them fell their true self again.
The reason I choose my mom is because of how hard she works and how hard she tries to help anyone she can.
She works as an Ofsted registered childminder and cares for children under the age of 3, encouraging their development and helping them to reach their milestones. The children are able to participate in lots of outdoor adventures, being taken to farms, parks, woodlands and encouraged to be active. Also to learn about the environment around them and being creative outdoors. My mom provides a calm and safe environment following HYGGE concept, making the surrounds comfy and loving so that the children feel safe and cared for.
Whilst working in her second business my mother got involved with a charity called the Buddy Bag Foundation. She became an Ambassador visiting businesses, supermarkets and organisations informing them of the charity and how they can be involved. We would attend the packing events and my mom would also deliver them to selective women’s refuge.
There are other special things that she has done that includes participating in the NSPCC messathon, completing a 5k run/walk with the Race for Life Cancer Research UK, organised McMillan charity events, swimming 44 miles for Diabetes UK, skipping challenge for the Heart Foundation, plus a 22 mile trek with the Alzheimers Memory Walk.
My mom inspires me alot, with how much she helps people and also due to her liking of art as well. When I was little ,she used to help me with my arts and crafts, and encourages me with advice on how I can improve. She also has to deal with me and my sister, helping us through difficult situations we face with our anxieties, which in itself was a hard job, and yet still able to help many other people despite these challenges. She really is an inspiration and an amazing mom!
Following the school Art Competition, the finalists were presented with their prizes at our Pop-up Exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall on the 15th of July 2025 . This event was also the launch of the project to the community, and our partners were invited to learn more about the project and view the art. We invited partners and potential collaborators, also our Ambassadors and Cllr Andrew.
Photography by Oliver, Jas and Rohan.
Are you an artist? Would you like to know more about our Hertiage Art, and to get involved?
Feel free to contact us.