By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Nina Valkhoff’s has painted vibrant street murals – many featuring endangered animals – in 16 countries across the globe.
Now the Rotterdam, Netherlands artist has added Canada as country number 17. As part of CK CanJam 26, she spent last week creating a life-like orange pussycat peering down from a wall adjacent to the Mission Thrift Store parking lot.
Dubbed “Simon’s Room,” the mural showcases a green-eyed feline lounging beneath a lamp amidst a play of shadow and light.
“It’s like a feeling,” said Valkhoff of the painting, adding she took her inspiration from a photograph taken by a friend. “It creates a cozy, homey type of atmosphere.”
A full-time artist for the past 26 years, Valkhoff has worked with brands such as Dove, The Body Shop, PETA and Red Bull and has highlighted the need to protect species at risk through her paintings of plants and animals. In 2024, she presented her work to the Spanish and Dutch royal families in the STRAAT museum in Amsterdam, during the exhibition ‘Duo’.
“Time flies when you’re having fun,” the 44-year-old said of her career as an artist, adding she loves what she does for a living.
Chatham-Kent is Valkhoff’s final stop in a six-week tour of Canada – her first time visiting the country. Before arriving in Southern Ontario, she painted murals in British Columbia, in both Chilliwack and Nelson.
After experiencing the beauty of the West Coast, Valkhoff said she had her doubts about C-K. But after being here, her opinion changed.
“I love the people here,” the artist said, adding it’s been a positive experience and she would “100 per cent return” if asked. “The feedback from the community has been very good. I thought this would be like an industrial setting but in reality, it feels like I’m in a cozy city centre. Please invite me again!”
Now in its third year, CK CanJam is proving to be popular with artists and the public alike, said co-organizer Sarah Steele, who shares the job with husband Cory Ravenscroft and Shannon Young.
“CanJam is always about art and community so we continue to bring that back to the centre point,” Steele explained, adding it’s all about friendship and togetherness.
According to Steele, year three has brought plenty of new developments and CK CanJam is now a registered not-for-profit. A new website has been launched, she added, as well as a painting hexagon in Tecumseh Park. Five large murals were created there to be distributed to communities outside Chatham. This includes a mural of abolitionist Mary Ann Shadd by Detroit artist Marlobro. It will be sent to North Buxton in time for the community’s annual Homecoming celebrations.
Steele points out that the artists are not being paid for their actual paintings, noting some charge “thousands of dollars.” But CK CanJam looks after the artists by paying for their food and lodging. Steele said many sponsors have stepped up to help with costs and in-kind donations including Enbridge, Hydro One, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Downtown Chatham BIA, AlumaSafway and Dresden Lumberjack Home Building Centre.
For a full list of sponsors, see the new CK CanJam 26 webpage.
