Hunter Street Mural Celebrates Multiculturalism in Peterborough

Artists Miguel Hernández Autorino and Cassandra Lee completed a mural on one of four designated plots on Hunter Street as part of the Renaissance on Hunter Road Mural Project.

Miguel Hernández Autorino and Cassandra Lee sit on their Hunter Street Mural. Photo Courtesy of Hernández Autorino.

Hernández Autorino and Lee created a piece called “Picnic By The Water” inspired by the Canadian landscape and nature which Hernández Autorino says is the most beautiful part of the country. He wanted the piece to encompass the multiculturalism that is so important in Peterborough.

Before the piece was completed, community members from countries like Korea, Singapore, the Philippines and Egypt were invited to paint “Hello” in their country’s language on the mural.

A community member paints “Hello” on Picnic By The Water. Photo Courtesy of Miguel Hernández Autorino.

Those that participated came from the New Canadians Centre where Hernández Autorino was a client when he arrived in Canada from Venezuela in 2016. He is now a volunteer for them.

“I hope this piece brings awareness to all the different cultures that are in this town,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for people to see that we exist and we are a part of this community.”

Picnic By The Water is positioned on the biggest of the four plots that are a part of the Renaissance on Hunter project and Hernández Autorino considers that a big accomplishment.

“It is really inspiring for me as an immigrant artist,” he said. “It’s the first time I feel like I’m achieving something big. I’m an advocate for all the immigrants that are in the same place - we work so hard but sometimes it feels like we don’t get noticed.”

Picnic By The Water can be viewed on Hunter Street in the temporary sidewalk spaces created by lane closures between Aylmer Street and Chambers Street.

This project is presented in partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement Area, Green Up, Artspace Peterborough and the City of Peterborough. It was funded through the City’s Public Art Program.

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Local Artist Wins Top Art Award

Local artist Lynda Todd painted to first place with “Blossom” in the Spirit of the Hills Art Association competition announced Thursday.

Lynda Todd’s entry, “Blossom” is a 36x60 inch painting selling for $900 on Spirit of the Hills Art Association’s website. Photo Courtesy of Lynda Todd.

Todd’s painting was one of 16 entries in the “Fine Art” category. Results were based on an online voting system by the public.

Born legally blind and mostly colour blind, Todd’s personal challenges did not deter her from earning the top slot.

"Blossom represents how an idea became a reality,” said Todd. “As a legally blind and colour-blind artist, I visualized each petal as the skills, knowledge and actions to reach my dream and occupation as an artist blossomed.”

Todd’s entry on the cover of Occupational Therapy Now. Photo Courtesy of Lynda Todd.

The winning entry was published on the front cover of Occupational Therapy Now for their May/June 2021 edition.

“My life has blossomed every single day since moving to Peterborough,” said Todd. “One thing keeps leading to another, so many doors have opened now that I have the independence to get around myself and embrace city life. I want to help spread the word and inspire others to try it all.”

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Hometown PTBO: Washboard Hank Shares the Story of His First Gig in Peterborough With Artspace

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with legendary musician “Washboard” Hank Fisher of his origins in Peterborough including how he got his first gig at Artspace, his family’s legacy in town and Pete might put Hank on the spot with song.

Artspace is holding a 50/50 auction where you can bid on local art virtually beginning Apr. 26 to May 6. Half the proceeds go to the artist and the other half go to Artspace.

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Watch: Take A Tour Of Alex Bierk's Art Studio On "PTBOCanada" Show

On Episode 36 of PTBOCanada, we take a tour of the Hunter Street studio of artist Alex Bierk.

Alex Bierk in his studio: February 6th, 2018

In the show, our Neil Morton speaks with Alex about creativity, culture, melding art and commerce, upcoming projects, the opiod crisis, addiction recovery and how his late father, renown artist David Bierk, was a huge inspiration to him and his siblings…

Watch the episode below…

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Toronto Architect Patrick Li To Create Artwork For New Square Adjacent To Peterborough Public Library

The City of Peterborough Public Art Program announced Thursday (January 18th) that Toronto-based architect Patrick Li will create the artwork for the new square adjacent to Peterborough Public Library.
 
The project at the corner of Aylmer and Simcoe streets was developed in concert with the Library’s Main Branch renovation and expansion, and is sponsored by LLF Lawyers. The construction of the square adjacent to the library will create a vibrant place for people to gather in the heart of downtown Peterborough.  
 

Rendering courtesy City of Peterborough

The call for proposals to create an artwork for the square received 20 submissions from artists and designers across the province.
 
In his presentation to the selection committee, Patrick Li highlighted the symbolic nature of the sculpture—Your Story—and his desire to create an artwork that feels alive:

“This Sculpture is made by the undulated fin like columns to be reminiscent of a book cover that is twisting in the wind," he said. "This way, there is movement to make the sculpture feel alive. Each person who walks inside will have a chance to experience this fluidity and discover their own journey.”

Rendering courtesy City of Peterborough

The Selection Committee found it a stunning, well-conceived and relevant work that will inspire the community and mirror the architecture of the renovated library. They were impressed by Li’s passion and expressed confidence in his ability to problem solve and work through project details.
 
The expected completion of the square and the artwork is Autumn 2018.

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New Decorative Bike Racks Installed In Downtown

Last winter, after hearing from Councillor Dean Pappas that there is an appetite for artistic bike racks in downtown Peterborough, staff at “City Welding” got to work creating some unique designs.

The resulting prototypes impressed City staff, who included some of the decorative racks as part of the regular annual order. Now, these custom bike racks are adorning City Hall, the sidewalk in front of Spa Euphoria and the sidewalk on Charlotte Street just west of George Street.

“I’ve had this idea for a while and it is great to see it come to fruition, and even better that these bike racks are designed and manufactured in Peterborough," says Councillor Pappas.

There are three designs so far: one depicting Market Hall, one of the Lift Lock and one of the Quaker building. This winter, City Welding plans to create additional designs.

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Rocks With A Message Appear At The Trent University Nature Areas

Fun decorative rocks have started appearing along the trails at the Trent University Nature Areas. Have you seen them? Discovered more? Let us know!

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A Hand Carved Unity Pole By Local Ojibway Artist Kris Nahrgang Has Become A Hit

To celebrate the enormous contribution that Canada's indigenous people have made to this great land, the CNE commissioned local Ojibway artist Kris Nahrgang to create a Unity Pole this year.

Photo via @JoeM_2015 on Twitter

The majestic and vibrant 25-foot pole by Nahrgang has become a popular attraction at the CNE, and has drawn lots of attention to the artist. It was carved from a majestic white cedar tree from the Peterborough area, and embraces both indigenous and universal symbols.

The Unity Pole carved out of #Ontario white pine by an Ojibwe artist on exhibit @LetsGoToTheEX #CNE - so beautiful! pic.twitter.com/OEqrldoq3z

— Joe Maurice (@JoeM_2015) August 23, 2017

Viewing the CNE Unity Pole! #CNE2017 pic.twitter.com/SFb808U0s5

— Jackie Truscello🇨🇦 (@1LearningSpirit) August 20, 2017

Nahrgang documented the construction of the Unity Pole on Facebook, and posted there on May 24th that it was completed...

On July 18th, Nahrgang posted to Instagram that the Unity Pole was ready for delivery to Toronto...

A post shared by Kris Nahrgang (@krisnahrgang) on Jul 18, 2017 at 7:36pm PDT

"The pole was created to offer a story of Unity, and healing for all Canadians, and has been created to include a story of hope for relationships for all of us," says Nahrgang.

"It is hand carved, and painted in bright Woodland style. It will represent a great vision of togetherness for all who come to view it."

Photo via @JoeM_2015 on Twitter

"The Unity Pole has become a huge attraction for the CNE, and has taken on a life of its own," Nahrgang tells PTBOCanada. "The pole for me was a way to show the beauty of indigenous art, and the stories of my Mississauga Ojibway Heritage. My goal was to create a piece of art that spoke to the country, and now the world, as to the need to educate ourselves about indigenous people, and our Culture."

Nahrgang adds: "I felt that this was a great opportunity to offer a good story, of inclusion, harmony and balance that needs to be pursued between all peoples in this beautiful Country. The impact of the pole has been viral, and its story has gone worldwide. It has changed my life and taken me to a new realm of the art world and offered a great respect for my art, and to myself as an artist."

The Unity Pole is on display at the Heritage Court in the Enercare Centre at the CNE until September 4th. The plan after that, Nahrgang tells us, is for it to be set up in a permanent location on the CNE grounds.

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Iconic Pig's Ear Tavern Sign Up For Auction

Peterborough history lovers have a chance to get one of the most iconic pieces of local memorabilia, as the famous Pig's Ear sign is going up for auction.

The Piggy closed April 22nd after 150 years in Peterborough, and many items from inside the tavern have been auctioned off. Now, the coveted sign is up for grabs, starting Saturday, along with other antique and modern furnishings from the watering hole in an auction from Russland Auctioneers.

So for past and present revelers of “The Piggy”, this will be your chance to own the piece of its storied history. Go here for more.

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