Oakville unveils inspiring new public art mural at Glen Abbey Community Centre

New mural, made possible by STEPS Public Art, celebrates community and diversity

On October 17, 2024, the Town of Oakville unveiled a vibrant new mural at Glen Abbey Community Centre. Created in partnership with STEPS Public Art, a Canadian charity dedicated to community-building through art, this mural celebrates the town's diversity with a nature-inspired theme. Designed by local artist Julia YH, the mural incorporates valuable input from community members, showcasing their unique perspectives.

Julia YH was selected through the CreateSpace Public Art Residency, a program that supports emerging Black, Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) and racialized artists. Julia is a Chinese-Canadian visual artist whose work blends anthropological insights into dynamic, site-specific designs. Her artwork explores a range of characters, styles and narratives, drawing on mythology, nature and our shared human experience. You can find her on Instagram at @_monkyi or on her website.

This 135-foot mural was completed with generous support from Oakville Paint and Decor Centre and Benjamin Moore. According to the artist, more than 20 cans of paint were used to transform this public art space in 23 days, with 60 residents contributing their own artistic touches.

Oakville residents are invited to visit Glen Abbey Community Centre to explore the new mural and discover its local connections. For more information about Oakville’s public art program, visit the Public Art and Exhibitions page.

Background

• Public art plays an important role in building community, promoting dialogue and enriching cultural landscape. As part of the town’s inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility initiatives, the town has once again partnered with STEPS Public Art to support local talent from equity-deserving groups. This partnership complements a robust lineup of programs and workshops featuring various artists engaged by the town for Culture Days and Connextions Public Art Project.
• STEPS Public Art believes that public art has the power to challenge systemic inequities present in public spaces. To support this important work, it facilitates programs that foster inclusive public art practices, build capacity of underrepresented artists in Canadian public art, and demonstrate how community-engaged art can reimagine equitably designed cities.