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A collaborative effort between the City of Port Colborne, The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) and Lakeshore Catholic High School is bringing fresh paint, and art, to the Main Street Bridge (Bridge 19) on the Welland Canal.
Students from the school designed several murals that are hung at the corner of Main Street East and Barber Drive. The murals celebrate the beauty of Port Colborne and the importance of the Welland Canal to the community’s identity and economy.
Public art is increasingly popular for enhancing the visual appeal of local neighbourhoods. Port Colborne has worked with both Lakeshore Catholic High School and Port Colborne High School to create murals that will hang in areas of the city that would benefit from art installations. The newest mural, painted by students at Lakeshore, consists of 10 panels placed in windows of the Main Street Bridge. For safety and efficiency, the SLSMC operates the Main Street Bridge, and all other Welland Canal Bridges, remotely from an operations control centre at the Glendale headquarters, and the windows are not required for operation purposes.
“The addition of these murals will increase the visual appeal of the city and provide a beautiful reminder of what makes Port Colborne a unique location,” said Mayor Bill Steele. “Our Maritime heritage and community spirit are reflected in the art that our students created.”
Jean Aubry-Morin, Vice President, External Relations for the SLSMC, said the murals will be viewed by many audiences.
“The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation is happy to work with community partners to bring student art to the Main Street Bridge, for the enjoyment of Port Colborne residents and visitors, as well as passing vessel crews and cruise passengers on the Welland Canal,” he said.
The murals were completed by students in Lakeshore Catholic’s Art Club, and art students in grades 9 to 12. Lakeshore Catholic art teacher Ewelina Fanfara said the mural painted by her students is a testament to the power of community collaboration and the talents of young artists.
“By giving them ownership over every stage of the process, from design to execution, we not only showcased their creativity but also fostered a deep sense of pride and connection to our community,” she said. “I could not be more proud of my students, who have surpassed all expectations."
The murals were hung Thursday, July 18.
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