A roadside art project dedicated to celebrating farmers is taking shape in Niagara-on-the-Lake, with organizers aiming for a late summer or early September installation after weather and logistics pushed the timeline beyond its original spring target.
The upcoming installation will be the first of three part of “Thanks for the Meal,” an initiative to honour NOTL’s agricultural roots and bring a little extra colour to the farmlands.
This first installation, titled “Three Sisters,” is an homage to the trio of agricultural crops significant to Indigenous peoples: three separate works of art, by Raymond Skye and Shayde Sandy, will show women harvesting squash, corn and beans.
Those works will appear blown up and laminated on large wood displays and installed outside St. David’s Hydroponics on Concession 7 Road.
A team involved with the project, including representatives from the Art Gallery of Niagara-on-the-Lake, met last Wednesday to discuss the images for roadside murals that will be part of the project.
“We’re sorted out that 15 feet will be the max height,” said Ken I’Anson, one of the board members. He added that foliage and crops will appear at the base of the murals.
The group also discussed technical details, including materials and the structures that will support the installations.
Board members said funding for the first project has already been raised.
The meeting brought together several professionals who will help create the project, including a photographer, printer, engineer and lumber crew.
Ron Clavier, founding president of the Art Gallery of NOTL, said he believes the team was able to accomplish everything it needed to during the meeting: figuring out the logistics and timeline of the project.
Niagara College staff and students will also be involved. Duane Bender, dean of media, trades and technology, attended the meeting.
Cory Duncliffe and Mark Williams, owners of Niagara Sawmill, are donating all the lumber for the first installation. Clavier said they may offer a discounted rate on lumber for future installations.
“It’s a remarkably generous offer,” said Clavier.
Other contributors include Ryan Bath, an engineer with Canboro Designs, photographer Sonya Wilkinson and printer Reg Freer of the Print House.
Debbie Whitehouse, the third board member involved in the project, said the group also discussed using the internet and social media to promote the installations. They also reviewed project costs, which will be finalized once the artistic designs are complete.
Participants said the meeting was productive and that those involved support the project.
“There is a genuine sense of commonality and community,” said Clavier. “Everyone immediately thinks this is a good idea.”
