JOYCE STREET BANNERS

This project, initiated by Collingwood Neighbourhood House, was aimed at sharing the stories of the Joyce-Collingwood neighborhood by reflecting on its past and present. It started with bringing community members together to explore what home and community mean to them through collaborative art-making sessions. These workshops took place at St. Mary’s Elementary School, Collingwood Neighbourhood House, and via the community platform Curiko.

During the sessions, participants worked together—and with the sun—to create cyanotypes that captured their thoughts and moments in time. I collaborated with Annie Canto on some of these workshops, helping participants find materials in their local environment, such as leaves, rocks, grass, and flowers, or guiding them to draw on acetate sheets. These materials were layered onto cyanotype paper and fabric, leaving behind beautiful negative impressions.

I then used these cyanotypes as a foundation to illustrate the rich history of the neighborhood, which was transformed into the street banners now lining Joyce Street. The imagery created was inspired by Joyce-Collingwood’s history—it was once full of fields, apple orchards, and even a lake! Over time, the land was divided, and businesses, homes, roads, and railways were developed, connecting this place to others.

I’m incredibly grateful for Loretta Houben’s dedicated research in the Collingwood Chronicles, which provided detailed insights into the area’s history from the perspective of someone who grew up here. Loretta’s work allowed me to use direct references—maps, historical images of trains, and more—to shape the artwork. This helped me tell the story more accurately and develop concepts that honor the unique context of this neighborhood.