The story behind downtown Tillsonburg’s new mural

Some of the artists joined representatives of the BIA, Station Arts Centre, and town council for the unveiling of the Canada Connects Nature’s Bounty Mural Mosaic last Tuesday. The mural consists of more than 2,000 tiles painted by artists from across the country. (Jeff Heldson Photo)

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

While Tillsonburg’s new mural may look like one work of art, it’s actually about 2,000 smaller works assembled into one.

About 30 people gathered on Oct. 21 for the unveiling of The Canada Connects Nature’s Bounty Mural Mosaic.

The idea for the mural came from Tillsonburg resident Sandi Pake. Her boyfriend purchased five tales for her to paint for another mural. That started things in motion for the Tillsonburg mural, and after she got in touch with Vanessa Fortner, Tillsonburg Downtown BIA’s events and marketing coordinator, it began to come together. The Tillsonburg mural features two dragonfly paintings by Pake.

Fortner got Tabitha Verbuyst, executive director of the Station Arts Centre, involved, and she promoted it, working to sell the 100 local tiles for $10 each. Some of the local artists were professional, others were emerging artists, and some were children.

“When it all comes together, it brings the sense of community,” she said.

Lewis Lavoie of Edmonton is the artist behind The Canada Connects Nature’s Bounty Mural Mosaic. He assembles the tiles, from artists across the country, into one image. Of the tiles, 100 were reserved for local artists. Tillsonburg’s mural is one of 50 such across the country, each with a large tree.

“The reason we picked a tree is what you don’t see, which is the roots,” Lavoie said, explaining there is a rhizome system in tree roots that connects one tree to another. “We use this metaphor in art to show this. It’s connecting everyone together.”

The unveiling attracted participating artists from near and far.

“We wanted to be part of something that would last forever,” said artist Brenda Knox of Simcoe.

“Local professional artist Stella Jurgen painted a blue jay.

“I want to be part of community projects, and art is important to Tillsonburg,” she said. “This is a good way of bringing everyone together.”

Patti Peltsch travelled from Port Elgin for the unveiling. She painted a sheet on a clothesline for the mural. She participated along with her daughter and friend, Trish Peets, from Port Dover.

“It was a cool way to connect,” she said.

One of the unique things about the mural is that no one – save Lavoie – knew what it would look like until it was unveiled. Even Fortner was waiting with anticipation as the sheet was pulled back.

“I couldn’t wait to see how it came together, and I’m excited to have a large presence of art in the core,” she said.