Murals

Mural Locations

  • Drift

    “According to Inuit oral tradition, kayaking was a way of life as well as a practical tool…for over 2,000 years. An individual’s mastery of the kayak measured personal growth and connection to the community. The kayak also provided the Inuit with a means of interacting with Arctic geography and ecology; kayaking was a way to explore landscapes, access natural resources, encounter animals and socialize with the Inuit of other communities.” (The Canadian Encyclopedia)

  • Bright Lights

    “Bright Lights” was inspired while the artist was camping in one of Ontario’s Provincial Parks. Sarah was walking back to her campsite in the dark when she saw a stranger carrying a lantern in the distance. Enchanted by flickering fireflies and the warmth of the lantern light through the trees, she stored the image in her memory for a dreary day when she would live the moment again through her art.

  • Beginning of Hope

    Using very a intricate technique to create the details of this mural, the elements represent the beauty of community connection and diversity. The mural is considered a contemporary piece that uses innovative transitions to the different elements.

  • Amusements

    “Amusements” is an art installation celebrating the fairs and festivals throughout the history of St. Thomas. Tattooed in a bingo card, this elephant depicts the Lockes Fair, the Iron Horse Festival and the St. Anne’s Fair.​

  • All Are My Relatives

    This mural connects with the specific setting at the Library, as well as the surrounding neighbourhood. The upper portion of the artwork, visible from the street, features a fire, row of corn, and an extraordinary night sky, a spectacular setting for the central characters including a storyteller and those gathered to listen by the fire. In the lower corners of the piece, there are animals that will draw visitors into the setting. The muskrat is key to the Indigenous Recreation story, as following the great flood, the semiaquatic rodent brought life back to earth from the depths through a morsel of sand. Viewers will note that the muskrat has a bandolier bag, which has always been a part of First Nations and Native American attire. There is also a mother bear and cub in the design. Similar to the muskrat, the mother bear is wearing a bandolier bag, symbolizing that all of creation has been given a set of original instructions and responsibilities that they have always maintained. The animals are situated in the space to remind human beings that we share the natural environment. This is emphasized by how the bear and cub are positioned on rock formations that visually extend the reading garden amphitheatre. All living things are in the same spot. The bear is traditionally considered a protector and maintains a very close relationship to the earth.

  • Growing Wild (Maui + Chicago + Jasper National Park + Kootenay National Park)

    Visitors were encouraged to watch and converse with Shackleton as she created the mural over a two week period. Following the indoor presentation, and in partnership with the AGN, the Town of Cobourg, Downtown Cobourg BIA, Lakefront Utility Services, and a local landlord, the artwork was installed on an exterior wall in the downtown core.

    In this piece, urban and wild environments collide in search of growth. Shackleton combines melting glaciers, burnt trees and flooded streets to ask pressing questions about our future. How will we adapt and grow in the face of rising temperatures and water levels? What is truly at stake as our climate changes–the planet or humanity?

  • Blueberry Mama

    This mural was created for the Up Here Festival in Sudbury, Ontario for a painted Power Box project. It is currently located at the bottom of the main steps into Bell Park, with the old painted hospital to your left. The artwork was created to commemorate my childhood memories of picking wild blueberries in my backyard in Sudbury. I’ve been away from my hometown for most of my life but coming back to create a piece of public art felt full circle and a source of pride. Miigwetch and thanks to the organizers of Up Here and the partnership of Greater Sudbury Utilities for the Power Up project.

  • Cellular to Stellar

    A series of murals were made to ask questions about our experience: Emily Rose Michaud’s mural was installed at Sainte-Cécile de Masham’s Elementary School. The mural provoked reflection on a series of questions to which the public was invited to respond. Two science and health professionals – a data scientist and a health advisor on COVID – developed the questions. A QR code displayed on the murals then directed the public to a web platform with the questions to solicit answers.

  • Promise of Prosperity

    This bright and bold mural acts as a welcoming sign to Central Commons Park, inviting people in and encouraging them to enjoy the outdoors. This park will be a main source of play and fun for kids, represented by maidenhair ferns which symbolize innocence.

  • Swift

    Created in partnership with the Downtown Barrie BIA. The mural depicts a colourful and resilient woman who lives in balance with the surrounding nature. She celebrates the many women-owned businesses in the neighbourhood and honors their feminine creative energy. She’s paired with chimney swifts, a threatened migratory species that travels from places as far away as Chile and Brazil. They take shelter in chimneys, enjoying their protection high off the ground. They remind of us our interconnectedness with nature and act as a resilient symbol for Downtown Barrie.

  • Planting Seeds of Change

    Planting Seeds of Change–a fence mural co-created alongside young women, transgender and non-binary students at Heydon Park Secondary School as a part of Youth Challenge International’s Innovate My Future Program. Students were invited to respond to the question: What would a world where we’ve taken the steps to combat climate change look like?

  • Ours to Tell

    A week spent with the art class of Royal Crown School inspiring some amazing students to create change, and inspire others. The three people are to represent the past (Harriet Tubman), the present (Obama) and the future (RCS Student’s), with a mirror in the center to show that it doesn’t take someone historic or famous to create change. Look in the mirror, YOU are the future of the black community!

  • The Bee-autification Project

    The Bee-autification Project was 1 of 9 Paint It Up Ottawa murals funded by Crime Stoppers Ottawa in 2021. Working alongside 6 fantastic youth, Emilie’s team transformed the Osgoode Township Museum’s bland brown wall into a vibrant mural inspired by local plant life that is exciting, joyful, and welcoming.

  • Community Blooms

    A colourful collection of plants representing themes of kindness, strength, friendship, community and more. Highjinx is a Vintage and Antique shop that uses its profits to help the vulnerable in the Community without government funding. Stop by to explore the treasure trove of unique antiques, and to play I Spy with the symbolic Iris (Trust, Hope), Gladiolus (Integrity, Strength), Poppy (Peace), Tulip (Caring, Good Wishes, Respect), Basil (Success), Geranium (Determination), Coneflower/Purple Echinacea (Strength), Bluebell (Humility & Gratitude), and Orange Blossom (Good Fortune).

  • Nature on the Path

    Located in Ottawa’s Intersectional Vanier Community, this mural focuses on the diverse and vibrant landscape found throughout the area and on the Rideau Bike Path. The bike path is a beautiful and peaceful way to travel throughout Vanier’s vast area, often filled with luscious plantlife, busy animals, and happy community members. Nature On The Path features a vibrant collection of botanical and animal life that are frequently found delighting adventurers and commuters, creating a sense of familiarity and excitement for local mural viewers.

  • I Spy Butterflies

    Utilizing a vibrant palette including Lansdowne Dental’s joyful brand colours, this detailed mural welcomes guests and clients as they enter the door and take a seat in the comfortable waiting room. The butterflies are delightful, inviting, and family friendly.

  • I Spy Good Vibes

    Surrounded by the hustle and bustle of Ottawa’s busy CF Rideau Centre, the eye-catching I Spy Good Vibes Mural encourages shoppers to pause for a moment to enjoy the hand-painted artwork, while simultaneously inviting them to take a selfie in one of four different mirrors. Slowly finding a collection of French and English descriptors, guests are left with feelings of happiness, wellness and peace.