Community-inspired art to transform Kerr Street for Oakville’s Culture Days
Published September 24, 2024 at 4:40 pm
Kerr Street is getting an artistic touch-up for Culture Days 2024.
The Town of Oakville announced Tuesday (Sept. 24) its “We Are Kerr” project is receiving up to $21,000 through My Main Street Community Activator stream.
The initiative is aimed at drawing visitors by bringing parts of Kerr Street to life this fall with what the town is calling vibrant, community-inspired art installations and workshops.
“This fall, residents and visitors can look forward to art installations in vibrant Kerr Village,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. “These artistic displays not only enhance our public spaces, but also foster a stronger sense of community by involving residents in the creative process.”
The project will be centered around two key areas on Kerr Street — Heritage Square (Kerr Village Square) and Normandy Parkette. The series of temporary public art activities celebrating Culture Days 2024 will be on display running from September 20 to October 13, 2024.
‘“We are Kerr’ is one of the many impactful placemaking projects happening across Ontario’s main streets thanks to the federal government’s investment in My Main Street Community Activator projects,” said Mary W. Rowe, CEO and President, Canadian Urban Institute (CUI). “Placemaking supports healthy, vibrant main streets and millions of Ontarians who live and work around them.
“The Town of Oakville has been empowered to leverage community activations on their main street to create a hub of social and economic activity, setting long term change in motion.”
Art installations and activities include:
- Heritage Square Ground Mural: Artist Yen Linh Thai will create a temporary ground mural on the pavement at Heritage Square.
- Public Art Banners: Four local artists — Asli Alin, Catherine Cachia, CM Duffy, and Natalie Very B, will design eight banners to be displayed along Kerr Street near Heritage Square and Normandy Parkette.
- Artist-Painted Benches: Six artist-painted benches by Kayla Whitney will be placed at both Heritage Square and Normandy Parkette.
- Traffic Signal Box Wrap: The traffic signal box at the intersection of Kerr and Florence Streets will be wrapped in a design by artist Mekayla Dionne.
- Hands-on art activities: As part of Culture Days, artists will lead two interactive workshops on Saturday, October 5 by Oakville artists Maria Elena Martoglio and Maryna Salagub inviting community members to engage directly with the public art process.
Delivered by the CUI and supported by the federal government, the My Main Street initiative is aimed at supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods where residents from all backgrounds can benefit, enjoy, and feel safe in their communities.
“An important part of Oakville, ‘We are Kerr’ is fostering community spirit and collaboration while also showcasing local talent and strengthening connections among residents and businesses,” said Anita Anand, Minister of Transport, President of the Treasury Board and Oakville MP.
“ The Government of Canada is investing in projects like this, through My Main Street, to support vibrant local economies and ensure projects like ‘We are Kerr’ can continue to unite our communities.”
For more information about the ‘We Are Kerr’ project and upcoming events, visit the Oakville’s Culture Days page.
