If you live on the Markham side of Thornhill, you can enjoy a little diversion as you get around town this summer. On July 20th, work began on a mural for the CN railway underpass at the intersection of Henderson Ave. and Proctor Ave..
Considering the underpass is built of solid concrete, which is up to 10 metres high in some places, the beautification project is a welcome change for homeowners and residents in the nearby neighbourhoods.
The project is the brainchild of James Ruddle, head of the art department at Bill Crothers Secondary School. Ruddle was given the opportunity to bring his idea to life as part of Markham’s public arts policy, which was passed in 2012.
Intended to help beautify the city, Ruddle’s mural is one of eight public art projects to be completed in 2015.
Part of the goal is to make the area a more desirable place to live, own a home and work. “What can we do to make the city a place where people want to live, hang out and connect with?” says Moe Husseini-Ara, Director of Culture for Markham, of the public arts policy.
Talking about Huddle’s mural, Husseini-Ara added “It is bit of an odd location for this big, gargantuan railroad crossing, as it’s near a residential community and a lot of houses. So we hope this will help beautify it and make it more inviting of a space.”
Huddle originally approached Markham in 2014 find out about public art projects for the Pan Am and Parapan Games, for which Markham is a host city.
Instead the City asked if he would like to make a proposal for the railway underpass mural.
Even if you’re out-of-town for the summer, you can still follow the progress of the mural by following the artist on Twitter and Instagram @jamesruddle.
Among the other art projects on the go:
- Granite, stone and bronze sculptures of dogs and squirrels near the Varley Art Gallery in Unionville
- 12 giant toy tops in front of the library/community centre under construction at Midland and 14th Ave.
- A glass tile composition of a flower garden at the Cornell Community Centre
So there’s art taking shape out there that every Markham resident can enjoy.