Featured Image: Indigenous History Specific to Aurora/York Region, Atessa Hooshvar and Sharon Rigby, 11 Mosley Street, Aurora, ON
Aurora Bell Box Murals Project
A community-centered project made in response to Call to Action #83 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. This report calls for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to undertake collaborative projects and produce works that contribute to the reconciliation process.
Meditating on this call to action, Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists were paired together to collaborate on a mural that contributes to the reconciliation process. The pairs were assigned a Bell utility box location and theme; each theme was determined by the Aurora Cultural Centre through our conversations with local Indigenous artists and educators. Over the course of 2 months, the pairs worked together to conceptualize, design, and manifest their work into a collaboratively painted Bell box mural.
“At the heart of this project is the intention of reconciling communities through something that bonds us all together: imagination, creativity, and expression,” says Suzanne Haines, Executive Director. “We hope these nine creations reflect our diverse character as Canadians and the bright future that we are actively building.”
This project is a collaboration of the Aurora Cultural Centre, Canadian Mental Health Association York Region and South Simcoe, the Town of Aurora, and Bell Box Murals. Sharlene Wong (CMHA York Region and South Simcoe) started connecting with Michael Cavanaugh (Director, Bell Box Murals) in 2018:
I hoped to bring this to Aurora, where I work for CMHA York Region & South Simcoe. Part of my role as an Occupational Therapist in CMHA is to help people connect to the community, to be part of something greater than themselves, and one important way that we’ve managed to do this is through the arts. This is about empowerment, as people become contributors to their community when their art is seen, and voices are heard – there is a shift of roles to becoming an artist.
This project is important to Aurora as it is important to recognize the diversity of voices: to have surprising and joyful moments, moments of curiosity, hope and connection.
– Sharlene Wong (CMHA York and South Simcoe)
The Aurora Cultural Centre would like to thank the 13 artists who participated in the project, as well as the overwhelming support from the community during the completion of the project. The creative journey of the Aurora Bell Box Murals project can be found on our social media channels:
Please scroll down for images of all nine boxes in the Bell Box Murals Project, along with the full list and descriptions of the murals and featured artists!
Aurora Bell Box Murals Project Gallery
Henderson Drive and Seaton Drive
“Our mural fosters a cross-cultural understanding and appreciation amongst indigenous and non-indigenous cultures on intergenerational connections, legacy and knowledge transfer, and our connection with nature in daily family life and festivals” – Sherlyn Hu
On the right, Sherlyn Hu paints a picture about “the sharing of love, knowledge, and good wishes across generations in her Chinese culture through daily life symbols like a warm bowl of soup from our elders, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival in celebration of gathering, thanksgiving and praying.” (Sherlyn Hu). On the left, Ren Lonechild depicts Mother Earth holding a medicine wheel in her hand, offering it to the child in Sherlyn’s image. “In my culture the medicine wheel is a very powerful and educational symbol… We learn Mother earth’s teachings from the first day we are born and continue to learn until we pass on… then the cycle starts again. This is the foundation of growth and building communities.” (Ren Lonechild)
In the final stages of the mural, Sheryn painted the blue clouds on the front, and Ren completed the sides with a few eagle feathers.
“The eagle is a great spirit in our culture because it flies high, closer to the creator. Indigenous people wear the feather for many reasons in ceremonies or rituals and it’s a great honour to receive and own one, as it was an honour to be invited to Aurora to show my works and to be a part of something great.” – Ren Lonechild
“The collaborative, mutually respectful process of mural painting between the artists attest to the healing and transformative power of art.” – Sherlyn Hu
Atessa Hooshvar and Sharon Rigby
11 Mosley Street
Artists Atessa and Sharon decided to create a piece that reflects inclusion and reconciliation between the original peoples of the land and those who have emigrated here.
The background of their design was inspired by an Iranian rug within vibrant, interwoven blocks of colour. From the Aurora Cultural Cultural Centre’s past learnings with indigenous artists, the understanding is that the land in which we operate on was a space for travel, hunting, and communal gathering. Sharon Rigby, the indigenous collaborator on this mural, painted various scenes of what that may have looked like, alongside animals which may have also traversed this land in that time. These are depicted in the areas of white, red, yellow, and black; which are also the colours of the medicine wheel.
Surrounding these sections are various scenes of life and animals from Atessa’s cultural background. While symbols and colors on the mural uniquely belong to each artist’s respective culture, the result is a vibrant mosaic of both.
“I can only call what we did as a real teamwork of depicting intertwined symbols of two happy groups of people. The ones who came to refuge and migrated to this prosperous land and the ones who accepted and opened their arms to this sacred piece of earth.” -Atessa Hooshvar
“Working with Atessa, we were able to explore different elements of each other’s culture and find that we shared similar histories and life experiences. We laughed a lot and even cried… Passerby’s were so encouraging and kind. Many people commented, stopped their cars, or even had a chat with us about the project and about our art.” – Sharon Rigby
Jennifer Messon & Stacey Kinder
15453 Yonge Street, Aurora
On this mural, the artists each painted a turtle, surrounded by yellow pond lilies, colorful orbs, and stars.
The left turtle, by Stacey Kinder, is a spotted turtle. “The spotted turtle is dear to my heart after a summer studying their population numbers with an Ojibwe First Nations band. These turtles are native to Ontario, however, have been classified as endangered due to many threats, including development and the loss of critical wetland habitats. I thought it (would be) fitting to continue the legacy of the spotted turtle in this collaboration, as it has become clear to me that the only way to save this species is to work together.” – Stacey Kinder
The right turtle was painted by Jennifer Messon. This is Jennifer’s second bell box with us – the first one located at 14730 Yonge Street with collaborating artist Kim Egan.
Jill Sciberras and Ren Lonechild
Pederson Drive (Between Bayview Ave and Earl Steward Drive)
On this mural, artists Jill and Ren highlight the role of storytelling, and its significance in indigenous culture.
“I decided to honour my father, Michael Lonechild, by doing a piece that reflects his work. I painted Mother Earth sitting around a fire telling a story about the creation of turtle island and the first creatures that lived in it. She conjures images in the stars that dance for the children below. Images of the Thunderbird, Sasquatch, Beaver, Eagle and its feather, The Bear (my clan), Salmon, Fox, Turtle, The Bison, Raven, and the Wolf. All these animals individually repent, creation, strength, wisdom, patience, creativity, protection, and sometimes trickery. These teachings vary depending on the tribes of the first peoples or personal beliefs.” – Ren Lonechild
Sitting around the fire and listening to Mother Earth are three curious and intrigued children. This scene expresses the importance of passing on indigenous beliefs, learnings, and wisdoms through generations. “Storytelling and active listening are also key to reconciliation efforts.” says collaborating artist, Jill.
On the other side of the bell box, the artists tell the Haudenosaunee creation story of Sky Woman. This section of the box depicts Sky Woman creating life from the shell of a turtle; looking closely on the shell of the turtle you will see heavily detailed terrain by Jill; specifically meditating on the landscape of North America.
Reflecting on the placement of the bell box, as well as the signific of Sunrise ceremonies to various first nations, the artists included a sun rising on the east side. This symbol serves to “welcome the beginning of a new day, but also as expression of appreciation and thanks for life and nature” – Jill Sciberras
“This was a very positive experience. It not only raised my understanding of Indigenous culture but was rewarding to be able to express this artistically. While I was painting several people, of varied ages and cultural backgrounds, praised the work and the initiative. Many asked about the meaning behind the images and said they wanted to tell others, for example their children, what the mural was about.” – Jill Sciberras
“I participated in two of these Bell boxes with two very talented artists and I wanted to show my range of art styles and techniques that I have taught myself and adapted from studying other artists… I had such a great time creating this and collaborating with the talented Jill Sciberras.” – Ren Lonechild
Gloria Hope & Hope Flynn
Wellington Street W and Temperance Street
This mural depicts the “Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back”, surrounded by the essential element of water. The following description is provided by indigenous collaborator, Gloria Hope:
“Turtles are very significant in many of the teachings and stories, such as the Creation story. Turtles carry a two-day lunar calendar on their back. In the middle of Turtle Back there are 13 large scutes which are called Moons. Each Moon corresponds to important events in the cycle of Life and Nature. For example, March is the Sugar Moon and corresponds to the harvesting of maple sugar water. June is Strawberry Moon; February is Bear Moon. With each Moon, we give thanks to our Creator for healing, protection, and the nourishment of life. There are 28 smaller scutes around the outside of Turtles shell and these represent the 28-day lunar calendar days. “
Gloria Hope and Hope Flynn had a positive experience working and Wellington Street N and Temperance Street. While painting, many people walked by with appreciative remarks; some even yelling from their cars while driving by!
Karen Roberts and Sharon Rigby
476 St. John’s Sideroad
For the theme “Creation Stories”, Karen and Sharon decided to paint the narrative of the “Star Creation Story of 7 Dancing Sisters”. The following description is provided by indigenous collaborator, Sharon Rigby:
“Five nights after the new moon in January, the constellation Pleiades reaches its highest point in the night sky. The Pleiades is a group of seven stars sometimes called the Seven Sisters, part of a larger constellation known as Taurus, or the Bull. On a clear winter’s night, look south; you may see the Pleiades. This mural shares a version of the Star Creation Story of the 7 sisters. The mural features jingle dress dancers, an ornate shawl, and traditional dancers. You will see 4 stars on this mural and 3 of the dancers (are painted with) yellow faces as they are transitioning into stars.”
“Sharon was a joy to work with. She is very knowledgeable about Indigenous culture and open to sharing. Her experience with beadwork and sewing Regalia is shown in her detailed painting of the costumes in the mural. She attended a pow wow just prior to us starting the mural. A particular dancer left an impression on her, so she added her likeness to the design. This personal touch connected the story to real people, traditions and practice.” – Karen Roberts
“I really enjoyed painting this mural with Karen. She is a fantastic mentor and makes excellent suggestions. She was a joy to work with.” – Sharon Rigby
Feedback from the neighbours and those walking by was curious and positive. In some cases, people drove in from the busy St. John’s Side Road to have a closer look at what the artists were painting.
Kim Egan and Jennifer Messon
14730 Yonge Street; Across from Aurora War Memorial Park
The collaborating artists painted this mural as two different panels; Kim Egan (left) and Jennifer Messon (right).
Jennifer Messon depicted cedar and sage. “The(se) are traditional medicines I connect with, and they are found in nature”. The pastel circles in Jennifer’s mural are spirit orbs, surrounded by stars. As stated by the artist, these “show that everything is interconnected with one another”. Kim Egan painted an ecosystem of critters and foliage that can be found in our local landscape: blue herons, dragon flies, lily pads and cattails, all living peacefully amongst each other.
Though the two artists painted on slightly different timelines, Jennifer’s mural was a foundation for inspiring Kim’s. Looking closely at the pastel colours of Jennifer’s spirit orbs, Kim adjusted her mural to reflect those same colours – ie: the glowing ripples of water surrounding the heron’s legs. Solidifying their collaboration, each artist extended the elements from their respective side to a section below the other: Jennifer extended a silhouetted branch of sage, and Kim expanded a line of lily pads with a frog atop. The result is the two worlds interweaving into each other, creating once balanced ecosystem in paint.
Gloria Hope & CMHA /ACC team
49 Hollidge Blvd
This mural is designed entirely by artist Gloria Hope. The sidewalk-facing side is painted by Gloria’s hand only, and the road-facing side is painted by Gloria alongside staff from the Aurora Cultural Centre and CHMA York Simcoe.
The theme of this box is the Seven Grandfather Teachings: a set of traditional values that many indigenous peoples follow as universal teachings. Each teaching is represented by an animal: Humility (Wolf), Honesty (Raven/Kitchi-Sabe), Respect (Buffalo), Courage (Bear), Wisdom (Beaver), Truth (Turtle), and Love (Eagle). “The Seven Grandfather Teachings depict the meaning behind all that we say, do and create” (Stated by Gloria Hope her colouring book Seven Grandfather Teachings).
On the east side of the mural is a large blue dream catcher, with a bear paw (symbol of courage) at the center. The dream catcher, believed to filter out good dreams from the bad through the whole at the center, is a symbol of protection. Continuing from strands on the dream catcher are several eagle fathers. Gloria explains that eagle feathers are the highest connection to the Creator; only elders are permitted to give them out to people in their community.
Also flowing from the dream catcher are representations of each of the Seven Grandfather Teachings flowing along the sidewalk-facing side of the box. The animals are depicted again on the other side of the box, the footprints steps from East to West. We invite you to look at each of the footprints – can you tell which pair belongs to each animal?
Additional symbols in the box include the four colours of the medicine wheel (White, Yellow, Red, Black) and droplet of water; expressing the importance of water not just to indigenous peoples, but to the entire world.
Annwin Manitowabi and Joaquin Varela
14810 Yonge Street
The following description was provided by Joaquin Varela:
“Our work was the product of many conversations between us, sharing ideas and values. Our theme to tackle was Truth & Reconciliation. We chose to approach the topic on a hyper-local level, what it could mean to Aurora and the region itself. Our approach started by considering the indigenous (the Wendat in particular) past here, the town’s disconnect to it and to the land itself. Naturally we arrived on thinking how these ideas converged on the Oak Ridges Moraine, the Holland River and the watershed. Our box stands as a witness to the many at-risk-species, the ancestral connections and to the land itself as ill-informed development and growth threaten it all.
‘True reconciliation requires an honest conversation about the past and present. But reconciliation must also be rooted in the land. It calls for respecting the centrality of the land in healing Indigenous communities and restoring Indigenous Nationhood.’ Valérie Courtois, 2021”
While working on this mural design, many people walking by expressed their curiosity about the painting, and, Aurora Bell Box Murals project as a whole. The feedback was all positive, and some even encouraging the artists to paint more boxes in the community!
Annwin Manitowabi (she/her) is a self-taught Indigenous artist from Southern Ontario and currently resides in the GTA. She is of the Bear Clan with lineage from Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, Manitoulin Island. Her journey as an artist began when the pandemic hit, and like so many, she picked up a paintbrush and began creating art. She has started her own small business Annwin Arts, inspired by the individuals she sat alongside while navigating expression and reconciliation within Canada`s justice systems. Annwin`s artwork has been installed as a projection onto one of Toronto`s historical landmark buildings for Big Art TO and currently has a number of projects throughout the city, most recently collaborating with Aurora Cultural Centre and Bell Box Murals.
Mural Location: 14810 Yonge Street
Theme: Truth, Reconciliation and the Path Forward Together
Artist Partner: Joaquin Varela
Atessa Hooshvar (She/her) is a multidisciplinary artist. Her work presents the drifting between the worlds of Science, Psychology and Arts. She plays with Iranian traditional music, poetry, embroidery, calligraphy, painting, illustrating, collage making, sketching, mosaic arts as well as driftwood sculpting. Her appreciation of Folk Arts of the nations transcends in her art and therapeutic works. Her artworks always have a flair for folk signs, symbols, and hidden familiar and cozy meanings in them.
Mural Location: 11 Mosley Street
Theme: Indigenous History Specific to Aurora / York Region
Artist Partner: Sharon Rigby
Gloria Hope (She/her) is an Indigenous Visual Artist, author/ illustrator, sculptor, mural painter and facilitator of art and nature programs. Her fine arts skills she attributes as a gift, inherited from her ancestral roots. In her works she merges the elements of nature, art and imagination. Through her focus on the beauty of the natural world, she captures spirits within her creations. Spirits within the trees and landscapes.
Gloria collaborated on two murals in the Aurora Bell Box Murals project:
Mural Location #1: Wellington Street W and Temperance Street
Theme: Meeting Place, Trade Routes, and Cultural Connections
Artist Partner: Hope Flynn
Mural Location #2: 49 Hollidge Boulevard
Theme: The Seven Grandfather Teachings
Artist Partner: Staff from the Aurora Cultural Centre & CMHA York and South Simcoe
Hope Flynn (She/her) is an emerging muralist, illustrator, and artist. She graduated from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in Drawing and Painting. Since graduation, her artwork focuses on the realism of animal paintings. She has received funding through grants from Ontario Art Council, such as Career Catalyst: Project Grants for New Generation Artists and Disability Arts: Materials for Visual Artists. Hope has sold over 400 custom animal paintings worldwide.
Mural Location: Wellington Street W and Temperance Street
Theme: Meeting Place, Trade Routes, and Cultural Connections
Artist Partner: Gloria Hope
Jennifer Messon (They/Them) is a two-spirited urban Indigenous artist, born and raised in Tkaronto. They work with different mediums such as painting, traditional beadwork, and digital art. They continue to contribute to many individual and collaborative murals around Tkaronto. They are continuing to pursue opportunities that will allow them to grow as an artist and make connections.
Jennifer collaborated on two murals in the Aurora Bell Box Murals project:
Mural Location #1: 14730 Yonge Street; Across from Aurora War Memorial Park
Theme: The Natural Elements Working Together in Harmony
Artist Partner: Kim Egan
Mural Location #2: 15453 Yonge Street
Theme: Indigenous Relationship with Nature
Artist Partner: Stacey Kinder
Jill Sciberras (She/Her) is an amateur artist who lives and works in Aurora. She has been drawing, painting and doing various crafts for as long as she can remember. Daughter and granddaughter of draftsmen, Jill’s art tends to be very precise and detailed. Most recently she has focused on creating acrylic paintings for friends and family in various styles based on the subject matter.
Mural Location: Pederson Drive, between Bayview and Earl Stewart Drive
Theme: Language, Stories, & Connection to the Land
Artist Partner: Ren Lonechild
Joaquín Varela (he/him) is a Latinx Colombian born visual artist, educator and placemaker. Understanding the value accessibility to expression has been central to his practice. For several Joaquín leads and facilitates workshops and classes in communities all over Tkaronto. Passionate about nature and eco-conscious practices in public engagement, Joaquín is the co-founder of Roots to Bloom, a collective that aims to cultivate crucial relationships to the land and stewardship through placed-based community art-making.
Mural Location: 14810 Yonge Street
Theme: Truth, Reconciliation and the Path Forward Together
Artist Partner: Annwin Manitowabi
Karen Roberts (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist from Toronto, who practices in the GTA. Experimenting and exploring new mediums in is what fuels her creativity. Her work can be found publicly as murals on walls, roads, utility boxes, sheds, pillars, and windows; as well as digital illustrations and photographs on a variety of surfaces. Karen has created animations for Nautanki Festival, partnerships between India and Canada, and murals for streetARToronto, Bell Box Project, Mural Routes, The City of Toronto, The City of Hamilton, several BIA’s in Toronto, Artscape Foundation, local businesses and multiple private commissions.
Mural Location: 476 St John’s Sideroad
Theme: Stories of Creation
Artist Partner: Sharon Rigby
Kim Egan (she/her) is a creative being and amateur artist. Her creativity has taken shape in many different forms in her life; however, she has always loved to draw. In the last couple of years, she has lived creatively by making hand-drawn greeting cards for family and friends, painting, and learning the art of making hand-made flowers, leaves with fabric, ribbon, and embellishing 1920’s style cloche hats. Currently, Kim is learning about millinery.
Mural Location: 14730 Yonge Street; Across from Aurora War Memorial Park
Theme: The Natural Elements Working Together in Harmony
Artist Partner: Jennifer Messon
Ren Lonechild (He/Him) is a Cree artist from the White Bear reservation in Saskatchewan. In 2016, Ren decided to try his hand at painting and already having over 30 years of drawing experience, he caught on quickly. This led to two art shows and numerous sales. He now collaborates with R.U.N. “Red Urban Nation Artist Collective”, a collective of indigenous artists who create murals around Toronto founded by Johl White Duck.
Ren collaborated on two murals for the Aurora Bell Box Murals project:
Mural Location #1: Henderson Drive and Seaton Drive
Theme: Family Life and Ancestral Traditions
Artist Partner: Sherlyn Hu
Mural Location #2: Pederson Drive (Between Bayview Avenue and Earl Stewart Drive)
Theme: Language, Stories, and Connection to the Land
Artist Partner: Jill Sciberras
Sharon Rigby (she/her) is an emerging Mohawk/Ojibwe artist from Akwesasne Reserve in Quebec. She is a self-taught artist, raised in Mississauga, Ontario. She works in different mediums such as murals, beadwork and traditional dress. Sharon has a love of all handmade things and local markets.
Sharon collaborated on two murals in the Aurora Bell Box Murals project:
Mural Location: 11 Mosley Street
Theme: Indigenous History Specific to Aurora / York Region
Artist Partner: Atessa Hooshvar
Mural Location #2: 476 St. John’s Sideroad
Theme: Stories of Creation
Artist Partner: Karen Roberts
Sherlyn Hu (She/Her) is a Chinese Canadian social worker, educator, and artist of immigrant background. She aims to enable people to discover our strengths, embrace our flaws, and connect with each other in nurturing ways. She has published books and peer-reviewed articles on health, mental health, and social work education. She is the Co-founder of a Canadian non-profit arts organization called BETWEEN Arts and Human Services. Her latest published children’s book is entitled Everyone Needs Care.
Mural Location: Henderson Drive & Seaton Drive
Theme: Family Life and Ancestral Traditions
Artist Partner: Ren Lonechild
Stacey Kinder (She/her) paints wildlife to celebrate her connection to nature and to express the importance of conserving the biodiversity of local ecosystems. As a conservation biologist, she works to protect species at risk in Ontario. She uses her mural work as a tool to share nature’s beauty with local communities.
Mural Location: 15453 Yonge Street
Theme: Indigenous Relationship with Nature
Artist Partner: Jennifer Messon
Frequently Asked Questions
A Partnership of
Bell Box Murals
