Public Art
Discover the public art that helps make Cowan Recreation Centre a unique community destination. From the large-scale mosaic Gidinawendimin by Indigenous artist Jackie Traverse to the playful bronze sculptures of Let's Play! by Canadian artist Pierre Poussin, these permanent installations celebrate connection, movement, culture and belonging. Learn about the artists, the inspiration behind the artworks and how public art is woven into the visitor experience throughout the facility.
Art is an important part of the Cowan Recreation Centre experience.
Integrated throughout the facility and its surrounding grounds, the centre's permanent public art collection reflects themes of connection, movement, play and belonging. The artworks enhance the visitor experience while celebrating the relationships and shared experiences that bring people together.
From playful sculptures that greet visitors at the entrances to a large-scale mosaic inspired by the relationship between women and water, the artworks contribute to a strong sense of place and offer meaningful moments of discovery throughout the facility.
Gidinawendimin by Jackie Traverse
Located in the aquatics centre, Gidinawendimin ("we are all related") is a permanent mosaic created by acclaimed Indigenous artist Jackie Traverse.
The artwork features four women connected through flowing lines of water and explores themes of kinship, resilience and interconnectedness. Inspired by the deep cultural and spiritual relationship between women and water, the piece serves as a powerful reflection on the connections that link people to one another and to the natural world.
Composed of more than 200,000 vitreous glass tiles, the mosaic creates a striking focal point within the aquatics centre while celebrating the essential role water plays in both recreation and everyday life.
Let's Play! By Pierre Poussin
Welcoming visitors at the main entrances to the Cowan Recreation Centre is Let's Play!, a series of bronze sculptures by Canadian artist Pierre Poussin. The five sculptures depict local animals participating in sports and recreation activities inspired by those offered within the facility, including soccer, basketball, lacrosse, cricket and volleyball.
Designed to be engaging and approachable, the sculptures capture the energy, teamwork and enjoyment that recreation brings to people of all ages. Their playful character encourages visitors to pause, explore and interact with the artwork as part of their visit.
Additional sculptures by Poussin can also be found inside the facility near the aquatics area, extending the spirit of Let's Play! throughout the building. These smaller works feature animal characters equipped for aquatic activities and help create moments of surprise and discovery for visitors.
Public art helps transform community facilities into places that inspire connection and create lasting memories.
Together, Gidinawendimin and Let's Play! reflect the values at the heart of the Cowan Recreation Centre: community, inclusion, wellbeing and shared experiences. Whether arriving for a game, a swim, a program or a gathering, visitors will encounter artwork that adds meaning, beauty and personality to the spaces they enjoy.
Land acknowledgement
The City of Kitchener is situated on the traditional territory of the Chonnonton, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We recognize our responsibility to act as stewards for the land and honour the original caretakers who came before us. Our community is enriched by the enduring knowledge and deep-rooted traditions of the diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples who live in Kitchener today.