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Bridging Communities Through Experiences with Public Art and Nature

January 9, 2021 Leave a Comment

Since the beginning of human record, people have been creating artwork based on their natural surroundings. From cave paintings of wild animals to complexly rendered landscape paintings, we have explored our long and dynamic relationship with land, plants and wildlife. There seems to be no end to our revelry for the beauty of a sunset or the power of a tiger. We are connected to place often through nature and wildlife and our experiences of them.  Artistically expressing the beauty of nature gives everyone something to be see and be excited about. But could art do more for humans and wildlife than visual stimulation and celebration? How can wildlife and public art create stronger communities?

For several years, I have been painting murals across Ontario, working with communities to foster local pride with artwork that reflects local history, stories and ecology. Painting a mural is performative work. As my team and I paint, we are often (happily) interrupted by onlookers who wish to express their joy and wonder about our work. Locals pass by and want to share their stories and experiences in the neighbourhood as well as their passion for art. These exchanges should never be taken for granted. As a community comes together to share, relationships and connections are made over two commonalities: the artwork, and the place. The experience of sharing their story and watching the work evolve leads to a sense of ownership and participation that connects people to the work, deepening the connection to place and community. Public murals reach audiences beyond the art galleries and the sometimes “superior” air that accompanies “high art”. Murals are for everyone and they present messages to all who see them.

My murals aim to beautify and unite communities.  I have painted everything from folklore dragons in Chinatown, to historical stories of colonialism in Port Union. Also, I restore murals. After preparing the surface to restore a 20-year-old heritage mural, I can testify to value of a mural in a community, because as the old, peeling paint is scraped away, those passing by begin to frantically ask questions…”You’re not painting over this are you?”  “What is happening here?!” The relief when I explain otherwise, is evident and often followed by expressions of gratitude: “It’s my favourite stop on this street…I walk past it every day to work”.

Like the murals that draw people in, natural spaces also unite communities with a positive bond.  The happy spaces of the wild draw people of all walks of life. Like art, we can experience a range of emotions amidst wild spaces; from peace and tranquility to a rush of excitement. The sights and colours in the wild areas are a gateway to a deeply personal experience.  The memory of a hike includes the physical labour, the act of discovery, the time shared with others or the insight gained from the experience. Nature is enjoyed by a larger spectrum of senses than the eyes; and the memory of the experience is what ties us to a place.

Therefore, both individually and better together, art and nature can unite people by connecting them to the land, wildlife, community, and memories to create a shared sense of belonging. The key factor behind the creation of community is shared experience. Each community is unique. It is critical that people understand and celebrate their distinctiveness.

As I developed the Turtle Guardians mural in Haliburton, the positive community impacts were evident before the mural had even been completed. As people joined together over coffee and lunch at Baked and Battered, dozens of people stopped daily to talk with me about the large snapping turtle I was painting on the side of the restaurant. They shared with me their experiences with turtles, where they live, their love for wildlife and the Haliburton area. The mural was joining community members together by sharing stories and common experiences. As they watch the mural develop, and chat with me, they become a part of the process. They share a piece of the monument. Having learned a thing or two about the gentleness and vulnerability of snapping turtles, many were eager to become more involved with the turtle and habitat conservation efforts by the Turtle Guardians program of the Land Between charity. The painting had sparked the interest of nature lovers to engage further with wildlife and their local community. However, a bigger win was the consideration and new perspectives that were generated from the process and painting; individuals who previously misunderstood snapping turtles as dangerous or worthless, now saw them in their true light as iconic invaluable animals. The mural serves to illustrate and testify that wildlife and community are one in the same; that both are dependent on people working to preserve these assets.

 

Article and Artwork by Stacey Kinder

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Previous Post: « New Children’s Book to Save Turtles_ Never Give Up_ Now in Ojibwa and English

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Recent News

  • Bridging Communities Through Experiences with Public Art and Nature
  • New Children’s Book to Save Turtles_ Never Give Up_ Now in Ojibwa and English
  • Turtle Calendars Raise Funds for Tunnels
  • Jeremiah is on the Move!
  • A Donation of Art to Support Turtle Conservation

Turtle Guardians is a program of The Land Between charity and invaluable partners. www.thelandbetween.ca

Contact Turtle Guardians at 705-457-1222 info@turtleguardians.ca

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Will is our Turtle Caretaker at the TG Headquarter Will is our Turtle Caretaker at the TG Headquarters. He comes in once a week to change the water, feed, and provide physiotherapy to our turtles with limitations. Will has a way with turtles, he knows what they need and has even invented a spinal sweep that calms down the snappers. He simply strokes the carapace along the spine and voila- happy turtle. Snapping turtles, like all turtles, can feel through their carapace because their spine, ribs and corresponding nerves are all one unit; turtles are their shells! Thanks Will, for being such a turtley cool staffer!⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #snappingturtles #ontarioturtles #essentialservices #turtleycool #turtleconservation #turtlesofinstagram #reptilesofinstagram #rescueanimals #turtles
We are already looking forward to the 2021 turtle We are already looking forward to the 2021 turtle season! Hopefully after a year of staying at home there there will be more people than ever outside and helping turtles across the road! Always move a turtle in the direction it was travelling! All turtles, including this blanding's turtle, know exactly where they are going. ⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #blandingsturtle #ontarioturtles #speciesatrisk #wildlifeconservation #turtleconservation #watch4turtles #roadecology⠀
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Photo credit: Xavier Tuson
We’ve moved the cameras at the Turtle Guardians We’ve moved the cameras at the Turtle Guardians Headquarters and have noticed that each night these two turtles move to face each other. Timothy is a large male snapper that is ~100 years old and unable to use his back legs, and Jeremiah is a large female snapper that is ~ 75 years old with limited mobility in her back legs. We can't help but wonder if they're trying to communicate... Betty and Otis, the two red-eared sliders, do the exact same thing! Wonder what they’re saying?⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #petcam #snappingturtle #jeremiah #timothy #ontarioturtles #turtleconservation #turtlesofinstagram #reptilesofinstagram
Jeremiah is a female common snapping turtle that w Jeremiah is a female common snapping turtle that was hit by a car and left with her back legs paralyzed. Luckily, turtles can regrow nerve tissue so there is hope for her recovery! The Turtle Guardians staff take turns going into the office during lockdown to feed the turtles, and to give Jeremiah her physio and skateboarding time (look out Tony Hawk). The muscles in her back legs are getting stronger every week and she loves to roll around the office! ⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #turtleconservation #essentialservices #turtlesofinstagram #snappingturtle #reptilesofinstagram #jeremiah #wildlifeconservation #skateboard #tonyhawk
Everyone is looking for new hobbies during lockdow Everyone is looking for new hobbies during lockdown, including Betty, our red-eared slider. While there are still some staff at the Turtle Guardians Headquarters (with permission - essential services for wildlife care) it is not nearly as exciting without any tours coming through. It is safe to say that turtles are looking forward to some company after the lockdown is over!⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #redearedslider #turtleconservation #ontariolockdown #essentialservices #turtlesofinstagram #reptilesofinstagram #baking #newhobbies #bakedgoods
This painted turtle's yoga pose isn't just for sho This painted turtle's yoga pose isn't just for show, turtles stretch out to expose as much of their body as possible to the sun. As cold blooded animals, this allows them to absorb more heat and regulate their internal body temperature!⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #paintedturtle #ontarioturtles #turtlefacts #reptilefacts #coldblooded #turtleyoga #yogapose
Snapping turtles, along with all of Ontario's turt Snapping turtles, along with all of Ontario's turtles, help keep aquatic habitats safe and clean for swimming! 

#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #snappingturtle #turtleconservation #tiktok #turtlefacts #ontarioturtles #biodiversity #protectnature
Back to reality today. We are excited to see what Back to reality today. We are excited to see what 2021 has in store; hopefully it is lots of nesting turtles and even more hatchlings! ⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #snappingturtle #ontarioturtles #nestingturtle #2021 #turtleconservation #watch4turtles
2020 has been a year full of new experiences and c 2020 has been a year full of new experiences and challenges but we are grateful for the adventure and look forward to what 2021 has in store! Thank you to everyone that helped us, and the turtles, along the way, we couldn't have done it without you!⠀
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#turtleguardians #thelandbetween #turtleconservation #newyearseve #ontarioturtles #ontariowildlife #goodbye2020 #grateful #newyears
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