Mosaic will leave a legacy

By Mark Ribble

A legacy project several months in the making has come to fruition on the southeast wall of the Leamington Arts Centre.

The ‘Tree of Life’ Mosaic Mural is a project undertaken by the Arts Centre, the Municipality of Leamington and the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee — as well as a couple hundred members of the community.

The Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC) expressed an interest in doing a legacy art project to Mayor

Hilda MacDonald earlier this year and the mayor suggested they contact Arts Centre Director and Curator Chad Riley, who jumped on the idea without hesitation.

From there, the Tree of Life Mosaic Mural project was born.

Mosaic murals are not new, but they are new to Leamington.

The first one was created in 1997 in St. Albert Quebec and Riley paid homage to artist Lewis Lavoie, who began the phenomenon at the unveiling on Friday, August 26.

A total of 272 6”x6” tiles were distributed to local artists and ‘non-artists’, who wanted to be part of the project. Over a three-month period, those painters created a pre-determined design from a sample onto their tile and then turned it back in to the Arts Centre.

Riley and his staff spent much of this summer arranging and joining the tiles into one large tree of life.

“We’re so happy with this project,” he said. “Thanks to all who participated.”

The mosaic was installed earlier last week and was visible at the Mill Street Market held on August 19.

Every person who contributed has their name engraved on a plaque below the mural, along with some history on mosaic mural projects.

“This is what brings us together as a community,” said Mayor MacDonald, just before she cut the ceremonial ribbon.

Riley said that four coats of protectant were applied to keep the weather at bay, plus a special coating to deter graffiti.

Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, left, poses with Arts Centre Director Chad Riley and three members of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Committee: Brynlee Skinner, Jaden Burke and Madelyn Unger.