Starting within the next week, when you drive west down First Street and pass Spruce Street, some new, smiling faces will be watching you pass by.
A new 60-foot-long mural is being erected this week on the side of the Fathom Boards building, which will feature 42 diverse faces of Collingwood residents. Named Our Collingwood, the project seeks to highlight the diverse stories of Collingwood residents.
The idea first came about a year ago in talks between the Unity Collective and the Collingwood Youth Council.
“We wanted to do a mural that encompassed the local community and all the different people who make it up, from different demographics like ages, cultures, backgrounds,” said Lea Pankhurst, community development officer with the Collingwood Youth Centre. “We’re an ever-changing area which has changed significantly over the years. We wanted to showcase that.”
Three local youths, John Cardillo Jr., Emma Thornwell and Kaiden Collver took all the photos for the project. A call was put out to the community asking for interested residents to participate.
Pankhurst said there have been some hiccups in the installation due to weather, however he’s delighted to see a year’s worth of work come to fruition.
Part of the project is the mural that is being installed this week. Other parts include 16 placards that will adorn the Train Trail, as well as a website that will reveal the personal stories of the 42 participants.
“The mural is a jump-off point. We’re also putting together a virtual tour of their stories. It’s important to tell different people’s stories, and they have great stories. It’s our next step,” said Pankhurst.
In a joint statement signed by the Collingwood Unity Collective, the collective says they’re proud to have been part of the mural’s creation.
"The Unity Collective strongly believes that celebrating diversity, both visible and invisible, builds a stronger and more inclusive community that is capable of doing great things. The mural is an important reflection on the multitude of stories that make up the substance of Collingwood, and conveys a message of hope, resilience, unity and community,” notes the statement.
Community sponsors for the project include Grayley Electric, Tatham Engineering, Living Water Resort, Collingwood Olive Oil Co., Rioux Baker, Bakertilly, Sutherland Insurance, the Town of Collingwood, and the Sheffield Park Black History and Cultural Museum.
The official unveiling of the Our Collingwood mural is planned to take place on April 27 at 5 p.m., which will be open to the public. The companion website is not yet active, but once it is, it will be viewable at ourcollingwood.com.
