Bancroft has been given an extra splash of colour thanks to a community project and more than 70 local artists.
On Saturday (September 13), artists, community members, and media gathered on the west side of the building at 23 Bridge Street, just steps away from the York River, as A Place for the Arts (APFTA) celebrated the completion of the “Embrace” summer-long project to revitalize an iconic mural.
“The visitors coming to our centre embraced the project we went through — they wished they were part of the mural once they saw it — and then those that came to actually put their mark on the mural were so enthusiastic, so dedicated,” said Debbie Christie, a staied glass artist and the chairperson of the artists’ collective.
“I can’t say how much inspiration it gave to me alone. We hope that we’ve depicted the embracing of Bancroft and area nature and wildlife, created by so many different artists from and around our community of Bancroft.”
Painted in 2014 by celebrated award-winning artist Arne Roosman, the 44-foot-long mural depicts the history of Bancroft and area since the arrival of the settlers. Though Roosman, who now resides in Coe Hill, was not in attendance, he gave his blessing to revitalize the mural, which has faded in colour in recent years.
To bring new life to the mural, APFTA marketing director Gayle Crosmaz whitewashed the deteriorating areas and outlined two large dragonflies, a firefly, and blades of grass in a black frame reminiscent of stained glass. With the intent to “salvage” as much of Roosman’s art as possible, Christie explained the new images were overlayed in the foreground to “embrace” the original work.
The images were divided into individual vignettes and, throughout July and August, the participating artists filled them in with images of their favourite things about Bancroft. Now, the four-by-eight 11-panel mural is adorned with a kaleidoscope of lakes, waterfalls, foliage, animals, watercraft, and other idyllic natural scenes.
“We wanted the images of what has been here since time immemorial — we wanted it to be the flora and fauna of our community that will remain forever, and that we see every day around Bancroft,” said Christie, adding that artists ranged from five to 85 years old.
“Over 70 artists gathered throughout the summer — young and old, renowned artists and budding, realist artists and abstract, muted and colourful, whimsical and serious — to add their contribution to this incredible project of respect and inclusion.”
Christie explained that while some artists gathered as families to paint the mural, others were fans of Roosman who chose to “embrace the opportunity to be included as a small part of his legacy.”
Acknowledging that “it takes a village,” Christie thanked those who worked behind the scenes, including Crosmaz who, in addition to designing the mural, organized the artists to paint the panels in intervals throughout the summer.
Christie also thanked sponsor It Stix Sign & Graphics and Bancroft BMR PRO, who donated all paint and the coating to make the mural weatherproof, and the Algonquin Arts Council, which offered financial support when the collective did not have exhibiting artists as they worked on the mural.
She then thanked building owner Burke Chamberlin, who first approached APFTA with the revitalization plan. Chamberlin then spoke to the audience about getting to know more people in the community through the project.
Bancroft Deputy Mayor Wayne Wiggins also spoke and further highlighted how many of the artists came from even outside of Bancroft to be a part of the project.
“This is a true example of community involvement, and our town needs and lives on it,” he said. “When everybody comes to town and looks over here, it’s the first thing (they see) and such a great entrance into our town.”
Liz Raymond, owner of the Muse Gallery Café, which is located in the same building the mural is on, told kawarthaNOW she was eager to be included in the project because of how it involved the community and people of all ages and skills.
“I think it’s exactly what our town needs — more community projects, more colour, more joy, and more involvement from people that feel the pride to be a part of something like this,” Raymond said. “It just brightens up our town. It’s amazing.”
Raymond said it was an “honour” to paint some of her favourite thing about Bancroft and have them visible to visitors driving into town from the south. Across four sections, she painted a garden of reeds, black-eyed Susans, blueberries, and northern lights.
“(Northern lights are) one of the most beautiful things to see up here,” she says. “The other ones are just inspiration near me. I have all these beautiful wildflowers and reeds all around my house, so I thought I’d like to do that since it adds so much colour. And wild blueberries are like gold up here, so we had to have them.”
Though the project has done its job in bringing the community together and brightening the town, the unveiling does not mark the conclusion of “Embrace.”
Later this fall, APFTA will be releasing a book complete with photos of each artist and a blurb about their inspiration for their painted segments. A behind-the-scenes documentary is also in the works, which will be premiered at another community event organized by APFTA.
For more information about A Place for the Arts, visit www.apfta.ca.
