On Saturday, May 20th, artists and volunteers are coming together along Kincardine’s lakeshore at the bottom of Harbour Street to paint two crosswalks. Creation of these ground murals is part of the ongoing journey to reconciliation as well as a representation of the community’s actions towards supporting and celebrating inclusion.
To see the artistry in action, come and watch from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the 20th. In the case of poor weather, the artists will be painting on Sunday, May 21st, or a future weekend if inclement weather persists both days.
The first crosswalk will feature work by Jeffrey (Red) George (Ma-Mi-No-ga-boo) who will be onsite painting. George is an Ojibway artist who grew up along the shores of Lake Huron on the First Nation lands of Kettle and Stoney Point. He connects with his mind and heart, with each of his paintings guided by the ancestral tradition of painting in the Woodland style influenced by Norval Morrisseau. George is a renowned artist signed with Canadian Indigenous Art in Vancouver and a native flutist.
“We are so excited to host Jeffrey’s work in the Municipality of Kincardine. We hope it will inspire commitment and actions towards reconciliation with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit community members,” says Lorie Fioze, Manager of Strategic Initiatives.
A Pride flag crosswalk will be the second artistic creation. A celebration of progress and an acknowledgement of the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ identities, the crosswalk symbolizes a commitment to being a safe and welcoming community.
Members of Kincardine Pride will be attending and assisting with the painting, excited by the visual welcome it will offer to residents and visitors of diverse gender expressions. They’ll also have information on Pride events taking place in June.
The Municipality of Kincardine will also have information at the crosswalk painting on other activities planned for this summer including exhibits and training that offers further teachings about reconciliation and inclusion.
For additional resources: · Truth and Reconciliation: www.kincardine.ca/journey-to-reconciliation · Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA): www.kincardine.ca/IDEA · Jeffrey George’s Red Dog Studio: https://reddogartstudio.com
