Walking Tour
Downtown Sault's Murals
A Showcase of Artistic Talent
This project is a partnership with the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, and Tourism Sault Ste. Marie.
1. Battle for the Seven Clans
The inspiration for this mural comes from the sacred stories passed down for generations through the Anishinaabe Indigenous Peoples, the Stories of Aadizookaan, Tales of Nanabijou, and pictographs of the area. The mural features Mishipeshu which is a very prominent mythological water being that is featured in the Agawa Pictographs.
Nanabijou was a shapeshifter that is part human, bear, thunderbird, and plant. In the creation story Nanabijou and Mishipeshu were battling one another for the seven clans and to determine the fate of humanity. In the mural these incredible beings are powered by women on either side. The North wall features a woman with berries in her hair. She has a strawberry heart and is holding a bear cub and thunderbird nest. This woman represents spiritual medicine. Mishipeshu is powered by a woman on the west side of the building. Her spine is made of strawberry and also has a heart berry. Her hand is made of a vine that grows more Berries. Both of these women draw their strength from Mother Earth.
As an artist Thomas tries to include Roses (which are a sign of love) and Heart Berries in his work. Heart Berries (Strawberries) are an important food for animals and people in Ojibwa tradition. In sacred stories the soul-spirit of a strawberry was that of a being who was returned to earth in the form of this heart-shaped berry. Much like these Spiritual beings, Thomas also draws his strength from the strong females in his life, as well as from Mother Earth.
Thomas Sinclair
Thomas Sinclair is Ojibway from Couchiching First Nation. As a young boy, Thomas was mentored in the art of Woodland style by the late Isadore Wadow. Currently residing in Sault Ste. Marie, Thomas has found happiness in returning to these roots and sharing his art with the world.
2. Breakthrough
"There was an array of different narratives that started running through my mind when I was met with the opportunity to create this mural. I wanted to portray something that would allow the viewers to look inward, and process different emotions while taking it in.
"Left side of the wall is bricks cracking and breaking off exposing a portrait of a women hidden behind. Right side of the wall is a hand reaching through to find beauty in the world.
"This piece encompasses the process leading up to a final breakthrough. Being on one side of a wall which is metaphorically representing the feelings and insecurities of loneliness and fear, all the while unaware of the positive outcome on the other side.
"Finding the courage to break down those walls we all carry within us is the first step in all forms of healing. As daunting of a leap as this may seem, the first step, and each one that follows will help uncover faith in a world where many walk in fear. This aspect is highlighted by what the woman is holding in her hand. Although she cannot see it, does not make it any less real."
Katrina
Katrina is an established Canadian artist, and has been gaining traction internationally within the past year. She was the only Canadian artist to be featured in the Top 18 Finalists at the International Contest of Contemporary Art for 2021, where her artwork was on display in Milan, Italy. She has also been featured in publications in Spain and for Create! Magazine recently, and just gained news that she will have a Solo Exhibition in Seoul, South Korea, during Spring 2023.
With hyper realistic monochromatic and full colour portraits being her main focus due to the boldness and raw ability in allowing her to capture emotion, this artist's talent is depicted on the canvas as she lets the art speak for itself to draw out deep emotion from her viewer.
By leaving the background of her works predominantly untouched, it intends to draw focus onto every expression, no matter how subtle, hoping to impact the viewers in different ways.
3. Northern Flight
This mural depicts a Canadian goose found in the Sault Ste. Marie area, painted in a kaleidoscope stained letter style of graffiti lettering, lines, shapes and shadows. The style of this mural is very modern, but is inspired by classic artists including impressionists and Old Masters. Bacon's goal with his art is to make people smile and change the vibe of neighbourhoods.
Alexander Bacon
Known for his works lining the alleyways and streets of Toronto, Alex 'Bacon' Lazich began painting in the 1990s as a teenager. His work has evolved to deconstructing traditional graffiti spray techniques to create an abstract graffiti style while maintaining letter form.
4. Spirit Horse
This mural is inspired by the animated movie 'Spirit'. "When the kids were little we watched it over and over again. At the time I had been exploring Metis heritage through art, exploring Ojibway style woodland type of painting. The horse and sun and land are all connected as we are to Mother Earth. Bebezhigooganzhii is the Ojibwa word for horse."
Cindy Haat
Cindy began painting professionally in the medium of oil on canvas following her university studies in fine arts. Photography and sketching have been the main tools she has used to research and compose her artwork. Cindy currently enjoys the freedom of painting with acrylics and her work has been described as “...energetic, fearless, full of emotion”. She strives to be free and relaxed in her approach to the actual painting process and enjoys researching subjects and trying to capture the essence of people, animals, and places with as much vibrancy as possible.
Cindy studied oil painting with John Keast at Sault College of Applied Arts and Technology, following three years in York University’s Visual Arts undergraduate program. From an early age, Cindy’s father Douglas Bradford, Canadian Forces Artist Program artist, taught her drawing and painting techniques in colour, light, perspective and form. Her uncle, Ken Bradford, founder of Sault College’s Media Design program and also a past CFAP artist, inspired her love for figure drawing and painting. Cindy’s uncle, Attilio Francella, is also a CFAP artist, specializing in watercolour.
It is evident how important family is to Cindy's art. Her work has culminated in four Bradford Family Art Shows that she curated in Sault Ste. Marie, featuring up to 30 artists. Cindy also has exhibits in Toronto, Waterloo, Bruce Mines, Sault Ste. Marie and Victoria, BC.
Her background in dance, specifically ballet and Argentine tango, influences the exploration of movement, emotion, and feeling in her work. As a Metis artist, Cindy has explored her Ojibwa heritage through painting the dance, costumes, and rituals of different tribes’ Pow Wows across Canada and is a published illustrator with the book “What is Family?”
5. Rolling Pictures Horse
birdO reimagines the Rolling Pictures horse in his unique surreal style. With a cohesive colour scheme and elements of motion, the large-scale galloping creature is impossible to miss. birdO's intention with his art is always to leave an environment better than when he came. This mural, as part of Sault Ste. Marie's community art project, is no exception.
Jerry Rugg (AKA birdO)
Jerry Rugg aka birdO is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. While his surreal geometric animals can be found on canvas, in digital print, and installation, birdO is primarily known for his large-scale mural work on walls and buildings around the world. Jerry’s long passion for the arts, his storied experience working in film, and the skills acquired as an award winning graphic designer, have all contributed to his approach, which focuses on an acute awareness of the surface and studious preparation with regard to local culture and surroundings.
6. Planta Muisca
Daniela is from Columbia and was inspired by her homeland to paint a jungle theme with big bold graphics depicting nature and flowers.
A colourful magical jungle piece featuring Bachué. A mother goddess that according to the Muisca religion is the mother of humanity.
Daniela Rocha Morena
7. Girls in Strawberry Field
The girls depicted are leading each other into a brighter, happier, loving future, which is related to what the food bank is doing for the people of the community. The strawberry, which is grown in Northern Ontario represents the heart, the bear represents strength and courage, and this too mirrors the foodbank, which represents the heart and strength of the community
Milkbox
Kayla Buium, the street artist known as Milkbox, is an illustrator and professional roller skater from Toronto, Canada. She uses bright colours and rubbery characters to spread positive messages to her community. Milkbox gained recognition for her work while studying at OCAD University in Toronto. Throughout her studies she was approached by Uber Eats, Tim Hortons, The Hilton Hotel, and was featured in “Its Nice That” Magazine. However, Milkbox dreamed of painting large scale murals, assisting alongside internationally acclaimed street artists such as Okuda San Miguel, Alfalfa, Birdo and Ola Volo in order to develop her skills as a mural artist.
Milkbox has collaborated with musician Scott Helman on his “Evergreen” climate change awareness campaign, donated a mural to the city of Flint, Michigan, and brought many beautiful projects to life on walls in her hometown.
8. Ring Neck
Mishiikenh Kwe and Rihkee Strapp first began painting murals together at Nimkii Aazhibikong. Mishiikenh Kwe has always loved painting snakes because of her experience working in species at risk.
While doing community outreach Mishiikenh Kwe noticed that lots of people expressed fear and dislike for snakes. Together the artists want to honour the snake and to build appreciation for it.
Ring necked snakes are named for their distinct coloured pattern around their neck. If this small local snake is threatened it will display its bright underbelly to scare off predators.
Rihkee Strapp
Rihkee Strapp is a two-spirited Métis of the Wolverine Clan and was born in the small Northwestern community of Red Lake, Ontario. They are a multi-disicplinary artist whose practice includes traditional woodland painting, installation, performance, and social practice. Growing up, Rihkee was inspired by their grandmother’s print collective by the Woodland artists of the Triple K Cooperative silk screen company, who came out of Red Lake. After living in a social sculpture in Sault Ste. Marie, by Matt Ceolin called the Arcadia Project, Rihkee became fascinated by social practice and the power of these communities of people.
Their arts practice centers around nuances of identity, and cultural appropriation. Using the Woodland tradition of mnemonic painting, vivid colours, and legend, they juxtapose the experience of contemporary life for the rural-born Métis raised on the internet, with a focus on collaborative projects and community transformation.
Mishiikenh Kwe ndizhnikaaaz
Mishiikenh Kwe ndizhnikaaaz. Adik ndoodem. Namegnedawaan ndoonjibaa.
My name is Autumn Smith/Mishiikenh Kwe (Turtle Woman.) I’m Anishinaabe (Ojibwe/Odawa) from the Caribou Clan, my community is Magnetawan First Nation. I grew up listening to stories from my grandmother who is an anishinaabemowin (ojibwe language) teacher from Wiikwemkoong and draw most of my inspiration for paintings from those stories, thoughts and teachings I got from her and from ceremonies I attend.
I often paint my own visions and dreams that come from a deep spiritual connection with and love for the land, my ancestors, animal/plant beings and all my relations.
9. Phoenix Rising
"My work, and by extension, my life; has always been heavily influenced by horror, science fiction and comic books. When the owners of Outspoken brewery requested dragons burning down a city as their contribution to the downtown's arts initiative, I got the call. My initial sketch was enthusiastically approved as it captured the 80's metal album cover and post-apocalyptic feel that they were looking for. I don't often get the opportunity to do commercial work that I can invest so much of my personality into; as a result, this has been amongst the more rewarding commissions of my career. I can only hope that the final product stokes the imagination and creativity of those who visit the terrace, enjoying a pint whilst bathed in dragonfire."
Darren Emond
Darren Emond was born one Halloween morning in the frigid northern wastelands of a little mining town called Wawa in Northern Ontario, Canada. With a penchant for the creepy and the absurd, he broke his restraints and crashed around like a mad fiend calling many places home. He studied visual arts, English, marketing and philosophy at Cambrian college in Sudbury. He briefly worked as an arts instructor at the local gallery, teaching classes on anatomy, before the allure of hedonism flew him to Mexico where he busqued as a magician. Crash landing in Montreal, he worked as a commercial artist, arts instructor, magician and writer for several years before calling Sault Ste. Marie home. He lives with his cat Conan and spends his days in the studio where he is currently finishing work on his newest novel - The Fantabulous Tales of the Frivolous Fox.
10. Sacred Story
This mural depicts Atizukin, one of the sacred stories of the Ojibway that is not often shared with the public. Told by Winter Walker, it is the story of how the North Shore was formed. Normally it is only spoken when snow is on the ground, or when the Pleiades are in the sky. Sinclair believes it is crucial to share these stories as many of the Indigenous elders and knowledge carriers are being lost.
Thomas Sinclair
Thomas Sinclair is Ojibway from Couchiching First Nation. As a young boy, Thomas was mentored in the art of Woodland style by the late Isadore Wadow. Currently residing in Sault Ste. Marie, Thomas has found happiness in returning to these roots and sharing his art with the world.
11. Tree of Life on the Rapids
"Tree of Life on the Rapids" was created to make people feel good, and to remind the viewer that all things in this life are connected. It depicts the "Tree of Life", an iconic symbol for many cultures, which Sault Ste. Marie is becoming a home for. Behind the tree is the sun, which provides the energy everything here on earth relies upon. From the tree of life comes our food, tools we need, wood for our homes, and the fire we use to keep ourselves warm.
As your eye travels down the trunk, the roots remind us that we need a firm foundation so we can stay grounded in this life. Another essential part of our life is water, which roots will always seek. As your eye scans to the right you can see them transforming into the rapids that Sault Ste. Marie has long been known for. In the middle of this transition is the raven. Before the use of modern technology, they were used to carry messages over long distances. Using the raven as a symbol of communication, visually represents Village Media and their goal of conveying community news.
Patrick Hunter
Patrick Hunter is an Ojibway artist/graphic designer from Red Lake, Ontario. At 17, Patrick sold his first painting, not thinking that it could turn it into a career. Fast forward 13 years later, Patrick has been running his own design business since 2014, creating all kinds of paintings and designs that have sold all over the world.
Patrick is a new member to the Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce family, which has led to partnerships with RBC, BMO, STAPLES Canada and Redwood Classics apparel. He is also the artist in residence to the Princes Trust Canada, which is a charity that operates to expand Indigenous language retention in Canada. His scarf collections have been purchased as gifts entities like Global Affairs Canada, and in 2016 was selected by web giant eBay Canada to do an apparel collection with proceeds from sales going to Indigenous charities. Whenever home in Red Lake, Patrick makes it a point to teach art classes to various schools in the area and maybe inspire the next generation of Woodland artists to answer the call of the art world.
12. Peace
"I believe peace in its truest form, comes from within. For this mural I wanted to take the opportunity to represent the name of the restaurant the mural is being painted on in a literal way. The global symbol of peace, representing freedom from judgement, exclusion and negativity, is understood regardless of what language you speak. If we collectively conducted our lives with this symbol in mind, imagine what the world could be."
Katrina
Katrina is an established Canadian artist, and has been gaining traction internationally within the past year. She was the only Canadian artist to be featured in the Top 18 Finalists at the International Contest of Contemporary Art for 2021, where her artwork was on display in Milan, Italy. She has also been featured in publications in Spain and for Create! Magazine recently, and just gained news that she will have a Solo Exhibition in Seoul, South Korea, during Spring 2023.
With hyper realistic monochromatic and full colour portraits being her main focus due to the boldness and raw ability in allowing her to capture emotion, this artist's talent is depicted on the canvas as she lets the art speak for itself to draw out deep emotion from her viewer.
By leaving the background of her works predominantly untouched, it intends to draw focus onto every expression, no matter how subtle, hoping to impact the viewers in different ways.
13. Hockey Town
This mural is inspired by the Soo Greyhounds, who play hockey across the street from the mural. It’s a recognition of the impact of hockey in the town and Mark hopes the mural will be an inspiration to artists and hockey players alike.
The painting features former Greyhound stars including Wayne Gretzky, Joe Thornton, Matt Murray and Darnell Nurse, who not only went on to have illustrious careers in the NHL, but have also proven to be great ambassadors for the game. Greyhounds hockey brings people together and helps to create a sense of community in Sault Ste. Marie.
"Hockey is more than a game. In Canada, it is a way of life. It encourages us to be gracious in victory and defeat. It teaches us to stay humble and play hard and to never give up ever."
Mark Grandinetti
Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Mark Grandinetti is a local artist who primarily creates pop art pieces often featuring cartoon and comic book characters, as well as images and figures from sports and entertainment. Heavily influenced by street art, graffiti, and modern art, his work often employs bold colours and evokes a sense of nostalgia.
14. Two Ships, Three Elks
Two Ships, Three Elks; There Is No Folly Of The Beasts Of The Earth, Which Is Not Infinitely Outdone By The Madness Of Men
The piece is inspired by some of the shipwrecks and landscape of Lake Superior, and the Elks... Jean Paul has a personal connection with Elks and has created many works of art that feature Elks including 'War With The Elks'
Jean Paul
Jean Paul is a Métis artist from Vancouver Island, currently painting in East Vancouver. His work is informed by television and cinema, particularly Westerns, 70s sci-fi and Saturday morning cartoons. Using ultra-saturated colours, references to art history and well-worn cinema tropes, he seeks to understand the alienation to his own cultural backgrounds, both indigenous and settler. His work is an examination of his own life, through the reinterpretation of family stories using characters and motifs from the pop culture he was weaned on. The result is a very recognizable style of familiar figures in their own world of bright colours and flattened space.
15. Cultural Connections
Cultural Connections is a truly unique collaboration between three great artists. On the right hand side facing the mural is the Falcon. The Falcon is representative of the area.
In the centre is Peru’s art. Peru143 is an internationally recognized Peruvian-Canadian muralist. Rooted in Positivism, Peru’s work aims to heal and uplift people’s spirits by transforming neglected and often oppressive spaces into safe, playful, and imaginative worlds. He describes his style as “playful geometry”. “All my work revolves around one common purpose; to heal, inspire and uplift people’s spirits. I didn’t know what I was going to paint until the moment we were all staring at the wall together. I was given the word “Biindigen” which means “Welcome” in Ojibwe and ran with it. This was the most effortless collaboration I’ve ever been a part of with communication often reduced to a nod. I couldn’t be prouder to have worked alongside legends Bacon and QueRock on this magical mural. 3 guys, 3 days and over 300 cans. One Love.”
QRock’s mural is on the left hand side. It depicts a medicine wheel; seven grandfathers and the thirteen grandmother clan system. Lots of geometry in the painting is based off of the teachings. Medicine wheels is 4 directions, seasons, earth, wind, fire, water. Wanted to create those layers of sacred geometry, so that it gives you a visual healing effect.
