Getting the community involved in creating work that represents them is part of the purpose of the work of artist Jimmy Baptiste.
He’s currently putting the finishing touches on a multicultural mural project that has taken over the entire back wall inside Renfrew’s Visitor’s Information Centre.
While Renfrew’s bright yellow caboose stuck out visually to Baptiste, the man behind the full-wall mural depicting Renfrew’s heritage and desire for multiculturalism and inclusivity says it’s the people who have left an impression.
Baptiste says Renfrew residents have had their fingerprints on the entire process, from sharing their vision for the project with a consultation and brainstorming session earlier in the year to drawing concepts and even picking up brushes to help him put the final product together over the March 5th weekend.
He adds that several prominent themes came together while working with the community, including the prominent feature of the natural beauty Renfrew nestles itself in.
Baptiste’s work has impressed Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney and Councillor Andrew Dick, who stopped by the Visitors Information Centre earlier this week.
Sidney says the project has been a great way to get the town working together to create a true, unique representation of what Renfrew is.
The mural is expected to be finished this Friday, with both Baptiste and town staff interested in putting together a grand reveal for the finished product in the near future.
(written by Kasey Egan)
