Centre

Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre was interested in developing an art-based community engagement project that would assist in integrating Shout Clinic services and community members with Queen West Community Health Centre, and that would re-visualize the front of the building. PQWCHC partnered with ReDefine Arts on this mosaic project to bring community members, staff, and artists together to further promote physical and mental well being, while strengthening community ties.

At 12 community sessions, more than 150 people contributed stories, concepts, and images that lead artist, Anna Camilleri, used as the inspiration to produce the design. Then, during 9 weeks of open studio sessions, over 350 people contributed more than 2,000 volunteer hours to building the mosaic. The piece reflects the past and present stories of community struggle, the communities that intersect at the health centre, and the artistic, aesthetic, and cultural traditions found in the neighbourhood including Anishinabe, Chinese, Portuguese, graf/street art, and punk.

The CTCHC Community Mosaic Project titled “Centre” was devised and led by lead artists Anna Camilleri and Tristan R. Whiston, project coordinator and outreach lead Lorraine Barnaby, community artists Heidi Cho and Chantelle Gobeil, installation director Katie Yealland, community art interns Shamila Miller and Pascal Trudel, and technicians Hunter Marino, Doug Reid, and Jay Stewart.

Funders: Toronto Arts Council, the Ontario Arts Council, and the City of Toronto: Public Realm, Transportation Services, and the TD Bank Group.