The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for the unveiling of a special gift from Brighton’s Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) to the municipality on Sept. 30th.
On the inaugural National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the DBIA held a special ceremony in the lobby of the library and the municipal offices to unveil the commissioned painting entitled Trillium Creek by local Indigenous artist A.J. VanDrie.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours the lost children and survivors of residential schools, their families and their communities. Recognizing and commemorating the pain of this tragic part of Canadian history is part of the Reconciliation process.
The vibrant artwork — a three-panel watercolour collage that, in total, is 6-foot wide and 30-inches high — depicts the natural beauty of the Brighton area through the lens of a First Nations artist. The artwork will be displayed prominently in the main lobby to the Brighton Public Library and the Brighton municipal offices.
It was an especially proud moment for VanDrie who was commissioned more than two years ago to complete the artwork. The unveiling had to be delayed last year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But, to finally see it come to fruition was gratifying to the artist who was born in Saugeen First Nations in Southampton, grew up in Codrington to adoptive parents and attended Spring Valley Public School and East Northumberland Secondary School. VanDrie is currently living in Stockdale.
“Yes, I’m very pleased that it has been accepted and it’s nice to have it enjoyed by the public here in Brighton and being recognized as being a local native artist and celebrating native roots here in general,” said VanDrie.
As for the painting itself, all three panels depict a part of the beautiful natural landscape in Brighton, including scenes from such nearby natural landmarks as the Goodrich-Loomis Conservation Authority, Proctor Park and Presq’ile Provincial Park.
“It celebrates the parks and nature around the Brighton area. It’s a celebration of nature and the wildlife we have here and how nature is like a healing for people, a relaxation,” said VanDrie.
Brighton Councillor Emily Rowley, speaking on behalf of council and the DBIA, said the art unveiling dovetailed nicely with the first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. And, since the DBIA and the municipality enjoy a solid working relationship, the commissioned painting was a way of showing appreciation to Brighton.
“So this is our thanks to the municipality,” said Rowley.
The morning unveiling also included brief remarks from Brighton Mayor Brian Ostrander and from special guest Chief Dave Mowat, from the Alderville First Nations. Others from the DBIA to attend were President Sarah Hilwerda, Vice-President Gina Boyd and Treasurer Wayne Jefferson.
