This month, an art installation will transform a Fernwood wall into “a celebration of community, identity and connection.”
On June 8, the public is invited to 1240 Gladstone Ave. to help paste 63 large-scale black-and-white portraits to a wall as a part of the Inside Out Project – a participatory art initiative founded by French artist JR that encourages individuals to share their personal stories through portraits and public art installations.
This mural, titled Portraits of Fernwood, will feature the faces of local parents, youth, seniors and volunteers. The work is slated to be unveiled at Fernwood Square during FernFest, June 13-14, where the public can experience the powerful stories behind each portrait.
“This project is about visibility and belonging,” a resident who helped organize the event said in a news release. “It reminds us that the people we pass by every day have stories worth seeing and celebrating. Through art and storytelling, we hope to build stronger, more connected communities.”
The mural will later be displayed at the skateboard park behind the Fernwood Community Centre.
Over 570,000 people have participated in similar projects since the initiative was launched in 2011.
To find out more about the Inside Out Project, visit: insideoutproject.net.
