Share your thoughts on Mill-Courtland Community Centre’s new public artwork 

As part of the expansion project at Mill-Courtland Community Centre (MCCC), the City of Kitchener’s 1% for public art policy has allocated funds to produce a new artwork for the redeveloped space. Following a public call for expressions of interest, a jury has selected two options from 11 submitted applications. Now, we want to hear your thoughts on the two preferred proposals.

“The Crows’ Treasure” by Eekta Trienekens and Kat Looby is a series of wall-based mosaic artworks, the largest of which will depict several crows gathering shiny or interesting objects. Some of the objects will be clearly missing, giving the viewer an opportunity to look for the missing pieces hidden throughout the building and property in other, smaller mosaics. This fun and interactive piece will highlight the beauty of everyday objects that crows – and us humans – collect and treasure.

“Swoop” by Agnes Niewiadomski and Michelle Purchase will use basket-weaving techniques to craft a flight of hand-woven willow swallows that will hang from the ceiling and be affixed to an indoor wall of the lobby. The material for the swallows will be locally sourced from wild or farmed willow, with dyes handmade from local walnut and acorn pigments. Both swallows and willows have immense cultural symbolism, embodying themes like stability, protection, good fortune, protection from harm, and the ability to triumph over adversity.

Until Jan. 26, visit engagewr.ca/mccc to review the full descriptions of both artists’ proposals, plus initial sketches and mood boards for both proposed pieces. Then, provide your feedback on how these pieces will enhance the community centre, how they represent the theme of “togetherness” and your general feelings about each piece. This feedback will be taken into consideration as the jury makes the final selection.

Funds for this project were allocated through the City’s 1% for public art policy. The policy’s program funding comes from a one percent allocation applied to civic projects with construction budgets greater than $100,000, including public facilities and gathering spaces. The policy’s goal is to contribute to our cultural identity and strategic priorities.

To learn more about the two preferred proposals for MCCC’s new public artwork and provide your feedback, visit engagewr.ca/mccc.