Ajax yesterday presented a new Gateway Mural in Pickering Village, a placemaking initiative that captures indigenous and natural history of the area.
In September, council met to discuss opportunities for public art and placemaking opportunities in the town. Recognizing council’s and the corporation’s desire to enhance the character of Pickering Village and grow its potential as a hub of culture and economic activity, staff determined Pickering Village as the ideal location for the Gateway Mural, said a town statement.
Two talented artists worked hard it to bring to life. Local indigenous artist from Port Perry, Jon Colwell (JonnyOneThree), and Jesse Watson of Mostly Letters, transformed a plain wall located at Church Street and Kingston Road into a display of stunning bold colours that make up the town’s natural history. The new mural will continue to act as a gateway to help outline the neighbourhood, engage future investment and welcome drivers and pedestrians into the area for years to come.
“Being from the area and with most of my family still residing close by, it was an honour to be part of this project. Being asked to take part in this endeavor by Signs of Life was amazing; they do great work in the community and I am glad to be part of that. To work alongside Jesse was an honour as well, as I have been a fan of his work for many moons. The plan for the mural was to keep it simple and readable at a glance, all while still being a conversation piece with some history ingrained and some depth to it. I think we managed to pull it off and I am proud when I see the work we have created together,” said Jon Colwell (JonnyOneThree), Pickering Village Mural artist.
“It was an absolute pleasure to work with Signs of Life, Jon Colwell and the Town of Ajax to capture the rich history of Pickering Village and distill it into a piece of art that, if the overwhelmingly positive feedback during the painting process is any barometer, will serve to materialize the community pride that is already so rightfully abundant in the area,” stated Jesse Watson of Mostly Letters, Pickering Village Mural artist.
#SummerInTheVillage Photo Contest
Ajax also announced the #SummerInTheVillage Photo Contest. All submissions will be featured in a special video at the end of summer, it said.
How to enter:
- Take a photo of yourself [and your companions] at the new Pickering Village Mural.
- Post the photo to Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, tagging us (FB: @myajax | TW: @TownOfAjax | IG: @townofajax) or email it to corporate@ajax.ca.
- Include the hashtag #SummerInTheVillage so we can find your photo and include it in the special video photo collage.
Each entry will be entered into a random draw to win 1 of 5 Support Local gift cards to a Pickering Village business of your choice. The last day to enter is Labour Day (September 5, 2022), with the video set to debut shortly after.
“We recognized that covid has highlighted the need to ensure our outdoor spaces are welcoming and meaningful to the communities surrounding them, and we know that murals are a great way to do this. Pickering Village is a special place in our community – one that ties heritage with opportunities for economic growth and tourism opportunities for the future. I’d like to express my gratitude to all parties involved with the mural and their commitment to making it happen on a very aggressive timeline,” said Ajax Mayor Shaun Collier.