GATEWAYS TO PUBLIC PARKING IN OLD EAST VILLAGE
After our Canada 150 mosaic, the Gateway Project developed simultaneously with the Wayfinding Project in 2017-18 when the City of London was planning to renovate the large parking lot behind London Clay Art Centre (LCAC) and The Palace Theatre. Once again, our savvy volunteer leadership team collaborated with the Old East Village Improvement Area (OEV BIA) to conceive the idea of covering the concrete gateways with mosaic tiles. Happily, the City has always been a good friend of ours and this instance proved no different. City staff accepted our proposal and provided some funds to help us hire artists who coordinated and completed the work on 4 concrete gateway structures.
For the third time, we hired London Potters Guild (LPG) member, Susan Day, to manage and fulfill the project along with a team of paid LPG assistants and several community volunteers. Our volunteer leadership team was also successful in getting a grant from the Government of Ontario to fund 6 workshops that engaged new-comers to the community in tile-making sessions.
A Closer Look at the 4 Gateways
Gateway #1 can be seen when travelling along Queen's Avenue. It is west of Elizabeth Street and just east of Adelaide, close to Banting House. Look closely at this mosaic to see little houses, birds, and flowers made by women from London Intercommunity Health Centre's Women of the World program. Its many colours and circular mirrors are eye-catching to passersby!
Gateway #2 can be seen from Adelaide Street just north of Dundas on the east side. It is directly adjacent to our neighbour, Banting House, the birthplace of insulin. Composed predominately in shades of blue, this gateway features an eclectic array of tiles, including fish, corn cobs, pumpkins, stars, and flowers. What do you see?
Gateway #3 faces Elizabeth Street at the entrance to the municipal parking lot directly behind London Clay Art Centre, 664 Dundas Street. It is on the west side of Elizabeth, half way between Dundas St. and Queen's Ave. This gateway features hexagons that emulate the colours used by artist Simon Shegelman in creating lively posters and signage that highlight the vibrancy of Old East Village.
Gateway #4 can be seen across Elizabeth St., opposite gateway #3. It marks the entrance to the parking lot behind our neighbour and friend, The Palace Theatre. Once again, this gateway features predominately blue tiles with images ranging from human profiles, hands, and ears to microphones, stars, and various birds, including owls.
Stroll the Neighbourhood
We invite you to wander around the streets of Old East Village close to London Clay Art Centre to see the many beautiful and captivating mosaics we've produced. Hundreds of community members from over 30 community groups have helped us create these wonderful public art installations. We are proud to have started a local phenomenon that will endure long into the future and upon which we will continue to build. Don't forget to visit the retail store at London Clay Art Centre, 664 Dundas Street, where you can support local clay artists by purchasing their work.
We gratefully acknowledge the support of the following in creating the Gateway Mosaic Project: