By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
There’s more to Chatham’s newest art installation than meets the eye.
Comprised of nearly 2,000 individually painted ceramic tiles – including 50 by local art students – the brilliantly coloured tree carries the message that we are all connected.
Created by Edmonton-based artist Lewis Lavoie, in collaboration with Brio Academy, the vibrant mural is the 21st piece in the Mural Mosaic’s Global Roots International Arts Project.
According to Lewis, all of the Canadian murals in the project depict a tree, such as the deeply rooted willow now gracing Brio’s building on Richmond Street.
Lewis said he wanted to emphasize the way trees “talk” to each other through a fungus called mycelium in the roots. The fungus creates a communication network between trees – similar to the way the mural project connects communities across Canada.
“It’s kind of all growing underground and it’s why we call it Global Roots,” Lewis explained at the unveiling. “As an artist, I really lean heavily on metaphors and symbolism. I just want people to have fun doing it. I want them to say whatever they want, and my job is to find a really great place for it.”
Bringing a mural to Chatham-Kent was heartfelt for Lewis, as he said he loves the community.
“When Brio said they’d love to do a mural, we said, ‘This is it…let’s do our Chatham-Kent now,’” he added, noting it’s the fourth mosaic created in Ontario.
It takes a village to complete each project and that’s exactly what happened with Chatham’s “Canada Home” installation. Along with the tiles painted by Brio art students, the mural incorporates tiles painted by people from across the nation.
“They’re from Yellowknife, B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and all through the Maritimes,” Lewis added, noting it’s a “hodgepodge,” but it works.
Brio Academy art director and co-founder Rachel Schwarz said the mural project dovetails with the goals of the academy.
“Brio’s goal to connect young artists to the larger Canadian arts community was a big part of why this was a good fit for us,” she said. “It’s a great way to demonstrate to our students how connected we are.”
It teaches young artists they can be part of the larger global art movement, she added, while providing a “unique tourism stop” for Chatham-Kent.
According to Schwarz, the tiles arrived in a colour-coded kit and the artist painted what they wanted within the prescribed colour scheme. The tiles were mailed back and Lewis, with the help of his brother, refined the design using digital imaging.
The work of the Brio students is now part of a lasting piece of art for all to enjoy.
“So now we’re all part of it,” said Schwarz. “Forever.”
Funds for the Canada Home mural were paid for through the Hydro One Community Fund which has granted the Municipality of Chatham-Kent $10 million over 10 years to distribute to arts, culture and recreation.
Mayor Darrin Canniff said officials “loved” the idea about 30 seconds into the pitch and readily agreed to fund it.
“I love it that we have more artwork like this,” the mayor said at the unveiling. “This is what Chatham-Kent’s going to be.”
The mayor and Chatham councillors Brock McGregor, Amy Finn and Alysson Storey contributed a portion of their hydro fund to the project.
