The Town of Renfrew is excited to unveil the design for a mural inside the Visitor Information Centre at 190 Mask Road.

“This design showcases the history of Renfrew and our commitment to being an inclusive community,” says Councillor Andrew Dick, Chair of the Community Services and Economic Development Committee. “To pay tribute to the history of the Town, the mural includes the clock tower downtown, references to the rail, hockey and lumber industries and the O’Brien Theatre.”

The community had an opportunity to collaborate on the design at a public session at the Visitor Information Centre on January 31st with the design unveiled on Thursday, February 15th, 2024.

“We are thrilled to be able to take some of the ideas and concepts from the community and bring them to life,” says Kelly Thompson, Director of Library and Community Services. “The design also includes Indigenous characters, a female hockey player, Ontario Trillium flowers and flowers in LGBTQ+ colours.”

The mural design and community art session was hosted by artist Jimmy Baptiste in partnership with Kate Monahan from The Quiet Guiding Company and Becky Wright from Milestone Consulting. The cost of this mural will be included as part of the grant funding received through Heritage Canada to undertake the Community Support, Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Initiatives Project. As a part of this project, a three-year plan will be created to guide the Town and create awareness around anti-racism, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility with staff training. The community will be invited to help with the start of the mural in March 2024 with more details to follow.

Council has also directed staff to look at options for renaming the Visitor Information Centre with a further report to be presented at the Facilities, Maintenance and Operations Committee.