Student art revitalizes Brampton Transit hub

Today a 16-foot long mural created by Sheridan College students was unveiled at Brampton Transit’s Gateway Terminal to help revitalize the space.

Located at 501 Main Street South, the Brampton Gateway Terminal is a hub for students – particularly those from Sheridan College – making this project a natural collaboration. With the idea stemming from Brampton Transit employees who work at the terminal and wanted to beautify the space, the City commissioned several of the school’s Honours Bachelor of Illustration students to create a mural that represents Brampton Transit and its role in the community.

Sheridan included this project in its summer illustration program.  Four students created the final artwork:  Alanna Campbell, Erina Chida, Isabella Fassler and Miri Molev. The mural project was led by Sheridan Illustration faculty Ted Zourntos and Julia Breckenreid, along with the support of Elijah Williams, Manager, Centre for Indigenous Learning and Support, who guided the students in the identification of appropriate indigenous symbols to include in the mural.

As part of the design process, a City panel was created to provide feedback to the students on their initial concepts and then vote on the final artwork pieces. After a formal by presentation by Sheridan, panel members voted on three designs via a rubric and ultimately chose ‘The Circle’ design.

About the ‘The Circle’ mural design

 According to the students, the elements within the mural represent the following:

• The Circle: perpetual motion, the centre (hub), totality and wholeness, rhythm of nature (sustainability); the number 0 (a circle) represents “potential” in numerology
• Gears: engineering, technology and skilled trades programs at the Davis campus
• Hands: diversity working together
• Window: architecture, history
• Flowers: The “Flower City”
• Paper Airplanes: sustainable transportation
• Figures: community
• Sneakers: youth and potential
• Strawberry: rejuvenation and new beginnings
• Arrow Cluster: if all nations are joined they cannot be broken
• Three Flame Symbol: recognition of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation

 Watch a time-lapse video of the mural being developed here.

For more information on public art and landmarks in Brampton, please contact public.art@brampton.ca

Quotes

 “The arts and culture lens is key in reimagining and creating more vibrant community spaces across the city. This mural captures all that Brampton was, is and will be in its future. We’re thankful to our partners at Sheridan College for helping create beauty in a space that so many Brampton Transit riders can now appreciate, regardless of where they are at in their journey.”

–      Mayor Linda Jeffrey

 “The idea to showcase Brampton Transit in the community through art came from our employees and we’re happy to have partnered with Sheridan College in helping us translate the idea into a work of art – a great way to beautify our workspace and add a new element to our terminal.  ”

–      Vince Rodo, Director, Brampton Transit

“We’re proud to see the creativity of our students play a significant role in helping to illuminate this public space through their imaginative and inspired mural, and we were thrilled to partner with the City on this innovative project.”

–      Dr. Janet Morrison, President and Vice Chancellor, Sheridan College

Brampton is thinking bigger. We are a future ready organization with a sharp focus. We know our community’s growth, youth and diversity set us apart. We sit at the centre of Canada’s innovation super corridor, encouraging investment and growing our global success. We are building vibrant urban centres that ignite opportunity and instill pride in the people who live and work here. We are moving Brampton forward to be a connected city that is innovative, inclusive and bold. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.