Diverse Hamilton Online is a project of the Immigrant Culture and Arts Association
Women working on a quilt
The finished creation
The finished creation
Art and Environment Supported by the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
The primary purpose of the project was to assist young Canadians, primarily newcomers and those form low income families, in understanding and participating in environmental activities in their local community. Ultimately, the project was intended to bring awareness to these young people that they can play a huge part in the stewardship of our natural spaces.
The project began with a selection process of the tour participants by way of a letter to the parents of the ICAA Art School students. Thirty three students replied back and registered for participation in the project.
The project environmental tour took place on May 29, 2004 in Hamilton.
The project participants were briefed about the following: Project description Artistic and environmental significance Art assignments Safety orientation Tour schedule Project development
The tour that consisted of 32 art students ages 12 to 17, four facilitators, ICAA art teachers and OPIRG program coordinator began on Saturday 29 May, 2004 at 8:30 am. The tour provided a unique opportunity for the students to experience the natural beauty of Hamilton. As well, they became aware of the challenge our community is facing in trying to maintain the integrity of our environmental heritage.
The tour bus made its first stop at the Bay Front Park at 9am. OPIRG volunteers and Lynda Lukasik, formerly of Environment Hamilton and 1998 recipient of the Hamilton Environmentalist of the Year Award, made a short presentation about the history and challenges of the Bay Front followed by a walking tour around the Bay Front. Students in groups of 10 people took boat tours of the Bay Front aboard the Hamiltonian. Students made drawing sketches and photos. ICAA art facilitator Oscar Orbina. A Peruvian Canadian writer and environmentalist made a presentation about the global environment and its impact on the culture and heritage.
The group then visited Green Venture’s Eco House at the East end of Hamilton at 11:30a.m. until 1:30 p.m. With Cecilia Irazuzta, coordinator of the Green Lawns, Healthy Kids Project of the Hamilton Coalition on Pesticides Issues. Lunch consisted of organic greens and dishes made from organic produce. Students learned about soil health while pitching in with the community garden and exploring the technique of vermi-composting (composting with worms).
Students and teachers visited the Red Hill Valley at 2pm. A guided tour of Red Hill Valley was lead by Don McLean of Friends of Red Hill Valley. Students learned the importance of the valley in the Hamilton environment. The latest city official decisions of constructing an expressway and its negative impact on the environment was discussed at the tour.
The final stop on the tour was Coots Paradise, where Hamilton City Councillor and active environmentalist, Brian McHattia offered a guided hike along the trails.
After exploring and sketching the natural beauty of Coot’s Paradise, the students hiked along Chedoke Creek witnessing one of the most horrible landfill leach ate seeps to exist in Canada. This is a glaring example of the legacy of environmental neglect that the Hamilton community is struggling with today. The students learned about the huge landfill that runs from east of the 403 and right to the edge of the creek.
After a day filled with information from Hamilton's most respected environmentalists the students returned to the ICAA office, sketches in hand, by 6 p.m.
Before wrapping up ICAA director thanked participants and their parents for their cooperation.
A group of 10 advanced students were selected to continue the environmental project by designing and painting of a mural comparing the environment of Hamilton and the environment of the countries most students came from.
The Design group of the mural continued its meetings on bi-weekly basis to discuss the symbols of the environmental challenges. Food and art supplies were provided in each meeting. Design group members and lead artists started two 48”x96” murals. Students worked on the murals from June to August 2004. The final exhibition and gala for this environmental project was scheduled for September 30 from 5pm to 7:30 pm in the Hamilton City Hall, as part of the activities for the ICAA AGM.
More than 130 visitors including the design group members and some parents gathered to celebrate the success of the group. The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation was recognized for the support of the project.
The two murals exhibition was open to the public from September30, 2004 to December 03, 2004. The Mural project had a strong impact on the immigrant students as they never had such an opportunity to explore the surrounding area and focus on the healthy environment. The project was successful as it addressed the environmental issues on global and local maps.
ICAA has produced brochures and post cards of the project. The Design group members expressed willingness to continue their environmental activities throughout their continued art schooling. The generous support of TD Friends of the Environment Foundation was acknowledged in all publicity related to the event including at the official unveiling ceremony at City Hall and will be acknowledged at all future exhibition locations. We enthusiastically anticipate that the mural project will inspire further artistic explorations into environmental issues and result in more exciting community initiatives.
Here are the images of the project tour and mural painting(Picture Gallery)
