Public Art Tour Haldimand expands with Bridging Communities phase

Public Art Tour Haldimand expands with Bridging Communities phase

Haldimand County’s popular Public Art Tour Haldimand (PATH) is expanding with a third phase of artwork: Bridging Communities.

Eight artists have been selected through a blind selection process (meaning the review panel did not know the identity of the artists being considered) to recreate their designs on locally-made paddles—with the support and mentoring of PATH Project Coordinator and local artist Gina Wilson-McIntee.

The successful artists include: Laura Ashthorpe (Fisherville), Angela Bonitatibus (Cayuga), Cheyanne Bertrand (Jarvis), Sarah Butcher (Jarvis), Eirlys Evans (Cayuga), Andrea Johnston (Dunnville), Emily Mathewson (Hamilton), and Jessica Vander Vegte (Cayuga).

Bridging Communities began with a community call for artists to submit their creative visions for a design showing the importance of the Grand River and Lake Erie to Haldimand County, including illustrations highlighting the area’s natural landscapes, wildlife and history.

The eight new paddles will be installed along trails and in parks throughout the County in late October; a map showing the locations will be available on the County’s website.

An event to unveil the new paddles will take place in August 2023 (date to be determined in consultation with the artists schedules) and will provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to meet the artists from the PATH project. A special marketplace, featuring the artists’ unique works for purchase, will be part of the event.

To learn more about this event, Bridging Communities or to download the Public Art Tour Haldimand map, visit HaldimandCounty.ca/festivals-events/public-art-tour/.