Public Art

‘Spirit Garden’ is a project made in collaboration with the Alderville First Nation about the past and present relationship between the First Nation and the Katarokwi/Kingston region. The art features wampum belts, the symbolism of the medicine wheel and many culturally significant plants, arranged to represent the layout of the Alderville Methodist Church layout. It offers a space for reflection, ceremonies and education. 

Terence Radford is an artist and a landscape architect in Cobourg, Ontario. His Cree heritage and work with the Métis Nation of British Columbia and the BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres inspire his studies about landscapes and Indigenous art. 

'Horse and Cart' features a life-sized horse alongside a children's wooden horse cart, symbolizing a toy becoming a real horse and buggy. This artwork celebrates local history and Victoria Park's transformation from farmland to a recreational area.  

Nicholas Crombach, based in Kingston, Ontario, exhibits his sculptures in various locations across North America and Europe. His artwork combines traditional styles and motifs with modern elements, introducing playful and unexpected materials and details. 

Have you ever imagined animals acting like humans? That is the idea behind ‘The Wilds of Kingston.’ This fun artwork makes us think differently about sculptures and how they work and makes us consider the relationship between nature and the city.  

Brandon Vickerd is an artist from Hamilton and a York University professor. His work can be found in various public spaces across Canada. His sculptures are a mix of serious and fun using humour to make people think. He likes to challenge the way people in the Western world see their traditions and their thoughts. 

The Kingston Potters Guild designed a site-specific mosaic. They handmade, coloured, glazed, and fired over a thousand tiles, involving community members in sessions at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning. The tiles represent land and water, with the colour progression symbolizing ongoing change. 

Nancy Martin led the project with support from a core group of Guild members, including Ineke Quartel, Marga Vanderwal, Tania Craan, Delvalle Lewis, Jean Webber, June Lang, and Patty Petkovich, along with the participation of many other Guild members. Eastern Ontario Terrazzo & Tile Company Ltd. installed the mosaic under the Guild's supervision, and Spectrum Glazes donated the glazes for the tiles. 

The artist uses simple shapes and bright colours to make boring places fun, giving a break from your routine and letting your imagination go wild. The word ‘KINGSTON’ in the art symbolizes a place to be proud of and visit. The main message is that we're all connected and should care for each other, no matter our differences. 

Peru is a Canadian artist with 25 years of experience. He combines graffiti and murals to encourage unity. He started in Canada after moving from Peru at the age of 15. He works with non-profit groups to promote unity and connection through his art. 

This mural is like a patchwork of pictures, inspired by a special quilt made by artist Laurene King-McGill that was previously installed at the airport. The mural uses patterns that mimic quilt blocks and symbols for flying, including propellers and compasses. Additionally, there is an illustration of a big Canada Goose by John James Audubon, a tribute to both the quilt and air travel. 

Vincent Pérez is a designer, letterpress printer and artist living in Kingston, Ontario. He is dedicated to art as public practice, design as collaborative process and printing in the analog tradition. 

Wahkohtowin is a Cree word that expresses the interconnected nature of relationships, communities, and natural systems. This mural is a testament to the power of community collaboration. 

The eagle, representing honesty, truth, strength, courage, wisdom, power, and freedom, embraces the city of Kingston, symbolizing harmony in diversity. The heart-shaped tree at the center grows from Mother Earth, showing the community's care and the rewards of a healthy environment.

The eagle's tail, with a unity symbol, shows that together we create a stable community. The roots under the unity symbol represent the community's stories and childhoods. Above the eagle's head, a sacred fire connects to energy orbs forming a heart, symbolizing love and connection.

Dakota Ward and Jaylene Cardinal, Cree artists, moved to Kingston from Edmonton in 2014. They are passionate about expressing their ideas and beliefs through art, aiming to create a more empathetic and beautiful world. They run W.C. Creatives, offering unique Indigenous art, jewelry, crafts and fashion. They also host painting workshops and art classes. 

Floriana Ehninger-Cuervo, a freelance creative, has been in Kingston for 13 years, originally to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She has discovered her passion for bringing art and thoughtful design to everyday spaces rather than galleries. Along with illustration, lettering and sign painting, she is involved in public art installations, like the sun-themed crosswalk with playful images. 

This playful installation aims to engage residents and visitors along Kingston's waterfront. Water Snake consists of three sculptural segments that provide seating and encourage interaction, creating an engaging space using innovative 3D printing by local company Nidus3D. The project is funded by the Canada Community Revitalization Fund.  

Waterway is a colourful mural inspired by Kingston and Lake Ontario. It uses brush strokes and vibrant colours to create a lively and interactive path. The artist wanted to balance careful planning with a bit of chaos. By using calming blues and contrasting them with oranges, yellows, and purples, the mural aims to make you feel refreshed and energized, like a flowing current of water alongside the walls. 

Danielle Folkerts is an artist, teacher, and program coordinator in Kingston, Ontario.  Known for her colourful paintings, textiles, and large-scale murals, she has participated in artist residencies and workshops worldwide. 

The Redan Street neighbourhood wanted a playful theme for this mural, like a giant ‘I Spy’ game. You can spot various items, some hinting at the neighbourhood's history. With input from traditional knowledge keepers, the words "Naamjiwan" and “Ohwentsakonshon iotnhekahtetionhatie” represent this concept, highlighting the challenges of Indigenous language revitalization. 

Marney McDiarmid is a ceramic artist, illustrator and surface pattern designer. Her work is vibrant and reflects her passion for connecting people to creativity, nature and each other.

Vincent Pérez is a designer, letterpress printer and artist in Kingston. He's dedicated to public art, collaborative design and traditional printing. 

Explore Kingston's beautiful waterfront on the Waterfront Pathway, an eight km public path connecting to the downtown core from King Street to Emma Martin Park. This scenic trail is perfect for walking, biking or simply enjoying the picturesque views of Lake Ontario. Plus, it forms part of the 900 km Waterfront Trust Trail, connecting Niagara to Quebec, and the southern terminus of the Rideau Trail.