Dates
The City of London is hosting the official unveiling of two new Indigenous mural projects at the East Lions Community Centre on Thursday, June 27, at 2 p.m. during National Indigenous History Month.
The mural Way of Life - Bimaadziwin - Tsi' niyóht tsi tyúnhe' by Nancy Deleary is the first artistically interpreted Wampum Belt project in London, created through the City of London’s Public Art and Monument Program in partnership with the London Arts Council and Indigenous London Arts. This mural can be found on the interior fireplace at the East Lions Community Centre.
The mural Firekeeper by Mike Cywink is the first mural to be unveiled as part of the City of London’s and the London Art Council’s Songlines at Community Centres Program, presented in partnership with the London Music Office and the Rotary Club of London, to promote local visual artists and musicians. This mural can be found on the exterior windows at the East Lions Community Centre, just to the right of the doors as visitors enter.
Both murals mark two of the first works to make up the City of London’s Permanent Indigenous Artwork Collection.
When: Thursday, June 27, 2024.
Ceremony begins at 2 p.m.
Where: East Lions Community Centre, 1731 Churchill Ave., London, Ont.
Speakers include:
- Nancy Deleary
Way of Life - Bimaadziwin - Tsi' niyóht tsi tyúnhe' Mural Artist
Anishinaabe Educator and Visual Artist, Chippewas of the Thames First Nations - Mike Cywink
Firekeeper Mural Artist
Ojibwe Educator and Visual Artist - Mayor Josh Morgan
City of London - Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis
City of London - Allyson Vanstone
President, London Arts Council - Kirk Patterson,
President, London Rotary Club - Cheryl Smith
Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services
City of London
In addition, local drummers Colleen Jamieson, Danielle Hill, and Miriam Daniels will be performing during the event.
Music from the London Music Office’s Spotify channel, which is linked through the Songlines QR code, will be played at the unveiling, including local musicians Lindsey & The Lonelies, Status/Non-Status, Amanda Movio and Bella Rosa, to name a few.
Background:
The Songlines at Community Centres Project is dedicated to making a positive impact by encouraging the growth of London’s visual artists and musical talent. This initiative includes showcasing artwork pieces by local artists within our London community that are also then connected to a Songlines QR Code. This code links to the London Music Office’s Spotify channel, comprised of songs by local musicians. Songlines is funded from the annually approved Culture Services Public Art budget and sponsored by the Rotary Club of London.
Funding for the City of London’s Permanent Indigenous Artwork Collection through the City’s Public Art and Monument Program was approved by Council last year. The goal of this collection is to celebrate, honour, and share Indigenous culture and heritage.
