PEMBROKE — A new mural will be created in the Pembroke area in the summer of 2019, following requests from youth for more creative opportunities in the city.
The Pembroke Youth Mural Project follows the successful completion of “The Dreamer” mural with the Yakka Youth Centre at the Salvation Army in Pembroke. Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio (OV-CAOS) artist Megan Spencer worked with youth members over the period of a year to design, paint, and install the mural. An unveiling ceremony took place in October 2017 and was attended by youth, families, Salvation Army staff and political representatives, including our local MP, MPP and the Mayor of Pembroke. Based on the success of this first project, a new youth mural was proposed.
In June 2018, OVCAOS received word that the proposal would be funded by the Ontario Arts Council (OAC). Megan Spencer, OV-CAOS artist-facilitator, will lead a community-engaged process for youth to co-create a mural based on their own ideas, interests, and visions for their community. The community-engaged process has three distinct phases: research and information gathering; feedback and design; and finally, production, where youth participants will make the mosaic alongside the lead artist.
Workshops will be held this winter at the Giant Tiger Community Room in downtown Pembroke, just inside the Prince Street entrance.
Youth are invited to learn about mosaic art and share their ideas on Mondays in February from 3 to 6 p.m. Designs for the mosaic will then be presented and open to feedback on March 18 and 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. Production will take place during the spring and summer. Stay tuned for those workshop dates.
This project is supported by mentorship from accomplished Toronto-based artist, Anna Camilleri. Anna is co-artistic director of Red Dress Productions, which led the Countdown Public Art Project in Renfrew County in 2016 and is dedicated to supporting community arts in the Ottawa Valley. The project is also supported by partners: The City of Pembroke, The Phoenix Centre and the Renfrew County Youth Network.
OV-CAOS
The Ottawa Valley Creative Arts Open Studio is a not-for-profit community arts organization, founded in 2011. Its mandate is to promote the integration of visual arts, music, drama and other creative arts into the lives of individuals, families and communities in the Upper Ottawa Valley.
We work in partnership with local cultural and service organizations to bring people together to explore their stories, images, and creative possibilities.
