durhamregion.com 2 The Citizen October 22, 2015 Creative murals project livens up the community Artists combine talents to promote creativity and celebrate history Parvaneh Pessian ppessian@durhamregion.com BROOKLIN -- Residents may have noticed splashes of colour livening up various parts of the town lately as a group of artists put their finishing touches on a community-driven art project. The Whitby Community Murals Project is a curated project launched late last month to help promote original works of art, reflect culture and heritage, and enhance a sense of community. Eight local artists were selected to showcase their talent on Bell boxes located across Whitby and Brooklin. "It helps show passersby that people in the community care and want their neighbourhood to look better," said artist Sarah Shaw, who painted a mural of the Whitby harbour on a Bell box at the corner of Brock and Victoria streets. Ms. Shaw runs an art studio out of her home and said she's thrilled to be part of any effort to showcase local art. "I think it's great to have artists add their creative touches throughout the town in whatever means possible." A team of volunteers was involved in the project, along with lead partners -- Station Gallery and the Bell Box Murals Program. Funding for the project came from private donations from the community, resulting in more than $7,000. "I am so pleased to have been able to spearhead this project with community volunteers and partners," said Whitby Regional Councillor Elizabeth Roy. "A year ago, Michael Cavanaugh, the program co-ordinator, was introduced to me at a fundraising event and we met to discuss his program that he introduced in Toronto ... there is a buzz of excitement about this project amongst the community and the artists." The other artists involved were Amanda de Souza, Joaquin Manay, Andres Musta, Nikki Maxwell, Shannon Leigh, Ted Hamer and Emma Inkpen. Mr. Hamer, a professional muralist and Ajax resident who painted a box in Brooklin, said it was a special project to him as he grew up in Brooklin and has many fond memories of the area. His family used to run Hamers Auto Clinic, an antique car restoration company at Hwy. 12 and Brawley Road, which he incorporated into his piece at 5 Vipond Rd. "I haven't really done historical murals so I wanted it to have that feel," he said. "And I've always associated Brooklin with old cars ... so it just felt right." Mr. Hamer has painted two Bell boxes in Toronto and said the project is a great way to unite the community. "I've done them before in kind of troubled neighbourhoods where people just come out and thank you for adding colour to their neighbourhood," he explained, adding he'd like to see more local initiatives like this in the future. "Durham needs more public art and it's amazing to be part of it." BROOKLIN -- Artist Ted Hamer is one of eight local artists who are painting Bell boxes as part of the Whitby Community Murals Project. The curated project aims to promote original works of art, reflect culture and heritage, and enhance a sense of community. Mr. Hamer grew up in Brooklin and now lives in Ajax. JasOn LieBreGTs / MeTrOLanD