East Elgin Secondary School students receive $1,500 in community support for multicultural art installation

In the community of Aylmer, over 30 grade 10 art students at East Elgin Secondary School are creating an art piece that illustrates Canadian unity and pride, while capturing the essence of Canada's multicultural identity. Their public art project, "On Guard for Thee," features Canadian-themed self-portraits that demonstrate how Canada's cultural mosaic extends far beyond major cities into communities across the country.

Each student has created an individual panel measuring 40" x 28", and when assembled as a group installation, the artwork will span approximately 16' x 20'. The unified image is also organized to resemble a Canadian flag. The diversity of these young artists serves as living proof that multicultural Canada isn't limited to urban centers – it's woven into the fabric of rural communities nationwide, making the "On Guard for Thee" theme even more powerful and meaningful.

The project has garnered significant community support from local Royal Canadian Legion branches. Port Burwell branch 524 donated $500 at the project's launch, and today, representatives from both Port Burwell and Aylmer branch 81 visited the school to view the students' progress. Aylmer's Legion presented an additional $1,000 donation to the Visual Art program, bringing total community investment to $1,500.

"This project represents what makes Canada special," explained teachers Robert Ponzio and Aimee Sawyers. "Seeing our diverse student body come together to create something that celebrates our shared Canadian identity is exactly what art education should accomplish."

The completed mural installation has ambitious plans ahead. The school hopes to display the work in both Ontario's and Canada's capital cities, giving these students' vision of Canadian identity and unity a national platform. The artwork can also be reproduced on exterior sign boards for broader public viewing.

The hard work and perseverance of these students has been recognized not just through financial support, but through the community's investment in their artistic vision of what it means to be Canadian. In a project that began as a classroom assignment, these young artists have created something that speaks to the heart of Canadian identity – diverse, inclusive, and proudly on guard for thee.

In Process: Assembled acrylic, mural installation will measure approximately 16’ x 20’ and will be completed summer 2025.