Launch of Public Gathering Space in Mitton Village

A touch of colour and an abundance of creativity has transformed a portion of a municipal parking lot into a vibrant and inclusive outdoor gathering space.

Located at 135 Mitton St. S. in Sarnia, the space features 8 extraordinary picnic tables, each painted by local artists, community groups, not-for-profits, and businesses. For photos of the tables, see below. Minor landscaping and other small features were also added to the space.

The parkette was installed by the City of Sarnia on Friday, June 10 and is now ready for community viewing and use throughout the summer months. These enhancements are intended to be temporary to help build excitement for the longer-term plans to transform the space.

Artists

Photos of the painted picnic tables can be viewed in the Image Gallery below. They were painted by the following artists or groups, in order from left to right and top to bottom: The Painted Cat (Cat Cabajar) art students; Marina Muncaster, Vita; the Brain Injury Association of Sarnia-Lambton; Chantee Timperley; Erica Wilson; Olivia Gogas, Elle Ivy & Olive Branch Studio; Roxanne Chumko, Artless Muse; and Vision Nursing Home with the help of students at Sarnia Christian School.

‍Acknowledgements

The Mitton Village Parkette Project is funded by a $30,000 non-repayable grant provided by the Government of Canada's Healthy Communities Initiative (CHCI), which is administered by the Community Foundations of Canada and the Canadian Urban Institute.

The Mitton Village Parkette Project was implemented by the City of Sarnia's Economic Development Department in partnership with Diversity Ed. Safer Spaces Canada and the Mitton Village Community Development Advisory Committee.

Thank you Kirsty Kilner and Sara Dunn, the independent jurors that helped select the artists and Sonya Blazek of the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery who helped facilitate the jury process.

Thanks to the team at Vita for helping with assembling and planting the flower gardens and a special thanks to all of the participants who showed enormous creativity and helped make this project possible.