A mural design created by Allanah Larsen, a graduate of Durham College’s (DC) School of Media, Art & Design (MAD) in the Fine Arts – Advanced program, was recently installed at Oshawa City Hall.

Located on the retaining wall facing Centre Street outside City Hall, the city’s newest piece of public art features a stained-glass-like pattern that shows detailed glimpses of Oshawa and its main attractions within an evolving colour scheme.

A timeline of abstract art, the mural was produced by Allanah and her fellow students from MAD’s Community Collaboration class, including Alex Duffy, Stephanie Galanis, Shawn Robinson Gray, Maria McGarny, Vincent S. F. Neal, Kristen Sali, Schott Shepel and Kristie Yuill.

As part of the Civic Square community mural project, a partnership between the City of Oshawa and DC, students were asked to develop mural concepts based on feedback from Oshawa community members about their aspirations for the city. Three finalists were selected by the City of Oshawa and guest adjudicator Linda Jansma, senior curator, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery. Community members were then asked to vote for their favourite entry to determine the winning design.

The City of Oshawa and DC are both pleased with the collaborative efforts behind the community-inspired mural, which now serves as a new focal point within Oshawa’s Civic Square and is playing a large role in the revitalization of the space.

“This has been such a fabulous experience for the school,” said Greg Murphy, executive dean, MAD, DC. “We need partners to give us an opportunity to make a contribution to the cultural landscape of Oshawa, and the city has been a great partner. I’m grateful for the effort and expertise that a lot of generous people gave, but especially for the wonderful leadership of this project from MAD faculty Dani Crosby and Sean McQuay”.