Placemaking in Support of Local Charities
The Chairing is Caring (CIC) Initiative, Supported by My Main Street, Raises More than $14,000 for Non-Profit Organizations
The Chairing is Caring (CIC) program, supported by the My Main Street Community Activator initiative, brightened the Waterdown streetscape from July to mid-September with 18 artist-painted Muskoka chairs displayed in outdoor gallery locations throughout the Village. The chairs helped tell stories of the many diverse communities that call Waterdown home. Thanks to host BIA businesses and successful bidders in the summer auction, 18 different local charities will get a financial boost through CIC proceeds totalling more than $14,000, helping to extend the impact of CIC and support those served by the equity-deserving non-profit organizations aligned with artists’ original works. Additional artist-painted benches will continue to promote a message of inclusivity for years to come.
“It was great to see the vibrant impact the CIC Muskoka chairs had on Waterdown Village main streets and we are thrilled to know the legacy of the program will be far reaching,” says Amanda Groves, Chair of the Waterdown BIA. “We are grateful for the support from My Main Streets and thank all the artists and businesses who shared their stories with us. This program exemplifies the power of placemaking in bringing people together.”
The Chairing is Caring (CIC) program, supported by the My Main Street Community Activator initiative, brightened the Waterdown streetscape from July to mid-September with 18 artist-painted Muskoka chairs displayed in outdoor gallery locations throughout the Village. The chairs helped tell stories of the many diverse communities that call Waterdown home. Thanks to host BIA businesses and successful bidders in the summer auction, 18 different local charities will get a financial boost through CIC proceeds totalling more than $14,000, helping to extend the impact of CIC and support those served by the equity-deserving non-profit organizations aligned with artists’ original works. Additional artist-painted benches will continue to promote a message of inclusivity for years to come.
“It was great to see the vibrant impact the CIC Muskoka chairs had on Waterdown Village main streets and we are thrilled to know the legacy of the program will be far reaching,” says Amanda Groves, Chair of the Waterdown BIA. “We are grateful for the support from My Main Streets and thank all the artists and businesses who shared their stories with us. This program exemplifies the power of placemaking in bringing people together.”
Chair and bench artwork celebrates ‘place’, bringing people together to enjoy a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood with visual stories reflecting the unique experiences of youth, seniors, women, newcomers, Indigenous people and more. Residents and visitors are encouraged to Walk Waterdown to spot the benches, taking a moment to sit, relax and absorb the messages of community conveyed through art.
Sincere gratitude to goes to:
- My Main Street, the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), and the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), for supporting the CIC initiatives. See MEDIA RELEASE here.
- The generous businesses that hosted a chair to help bring art to Waterdown Village streets.
- Selected artists.
- Our paint sponsor, Sherwin Williams Paint, for their support and guidance.
- Marco Cannella of Prestige Painting for his help in protecting the chairs.
- Media sponsor, Flamborough Today, for sharing news about the CIC program.
Artist Profiles
You can learn more about the artists, their stories and the charities supported by clicking on the profile links below.
Artist
Kristine Anderson
Host Location
Birmingham Consulting
Supporting
ROCK – Reach Out Centre for Kids
Artist
Omar ‘Oms’ Hopkinson
Host Location
Pickwick Books
Supporting
Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton
Artist
Bhairavi Jathar Talpade
Host Location
Mill St. & 5 American House
Supporting
Flamborough Connects
Artist
Jessica Gustafson
Host Location
Creative Insight Pottery
Supporting
CCHF – Child & Youth Mental Health
Artist
Gledis Naska
Host Location
Harrington Lane Farms Village Shop
Supporting
Flamborough Women’s Resource Centre
Host Location
The Fix @ 299
Supporting
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
Artist
Mara Hurst
Host Location
Desjardins Insurance – Agent Andy Burnside
Supporting
Healthy Youth Network
Artist
Gabrielle Ranger
Host Location
Waterdown Physiotherapy / Magic Dental
Supporting
Flamborough Food Bank & Flamborough YMCA Strong Kids
We are grateful for BIA event sponsors BLR LLP Professional Chartered Accountants, Birmingham Consulting Inc., Bound Yoga, Sobey’s, OM Massage Wellness and Harrington Lane Farms Village Shop who help bring community events to Waterdown all year long.