Art Scene in the Burg

Our River Our Home Mural – Kings Navy Yard Park (252 Dalhousie St)

The Natural Heritage and Culture mural above can be found in the King’s Navy Yard Park. It was painted by local Artists Dennis and Dylan White in 2021 and depicts the unique history and wildlife found along Amherstburg’s waterfront.

The Detroit River is one of our most unique natural and cultural heritage features. Always present, the River has been the lifeblood of communities long before European settlement and will continue to be for centuries to come. The River has two very distinct designations; Wildlife Refuge and an International Heritage River shared by both Canada and the United States.

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge consists of nearly 6,000 acres of unique habitat, including islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals and waterfront lands, extending along 77 km of shoreline on both sides of the international border.

The Detroit River is a significant continental migration corridor for many wildlife species including fish, birds, bats and insects. Evident in spring, you will witness songbirds moving North through King’s Navy Yard Park or Silver Bass rolling near shore. In the fall you will see Kettles of Hawks high overhead or the constant flutter of Monarch Butterflies winging their way South to Mexico.

This mural depicts the many once abundant species returning to traditional habitats in and along the Detroit River such as Barn Swallows, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Otter, Beaver, Lake White Fish, Blue Heron, Green Heron, Canada Goose, Red-tail Hawk, Ring-billed Gull, Lake Sturgeon, Red-ear Sunfish, Snapping Turtle, Pickerel.

The International Heritage River designation identifies the Detroit River as the southern-most Canadian river within our national Heritage River System. It sustained the livelihood of the Indigenous, European settlement and military exploits. The River was a passage for those escaping slavery and the intriguing lawless days of rum-running. Emerging industry, shipping, fishing and fowling were all supported by the River. Today it is the busiest international crossing in North America and plays a huge economic role in the movement of goods and commerce.

This project was made possible by a generous contribution by Richard and Colleen Peddie.

General Amherst Murals (130 Sandwich St)

These nine mural panels were created using a unique application of granolux.

The panels depict the history that helped form Amherstburg and a story of life from the 1800s. The images are simple in appearance, using solid bold colours. In 2012, prior to the Town’s commemoration of the War of 1812, these images were carefully revitalized using the same granolux technique to ensure their original condition was preserved and they could continue to be a beacon of Amherstburgs history.

Amherstburg’s Art Alley (off Ramsay St.)

Amherstburg’s art alley is growing into a colourful space to walk, view, and get inspired. Filled with colourful renditions of historical moments and figures, it blends the past with the present. The murals in the alley include:

Tecumseh by Naomi Peters (248 Ramsay St.)

Tecumseh Portrait by Dylan White (63 Richmond St.)

Land Acknowledgement by Naomi Peters (248 Ramsay St.)

A Touch of Nature by Derkz (248 Ramsay St)

66 Richmond Street Mural

This new stunning giant mural located at 66 Richmond street showcases the Boblo boat, a Murray street building and references to our towns natural connections including its bird watching popularity. The mural done by DERKZ mixes warm tones and cool tones together beautifully, stop and admire this piece as you walk down Richmond Street. This mural was made possible by Pipers Port.

Community Mosaic Mural Project (3295 Meloche Rd.)

In 2022, the Amerstburg Community Mural Project took submissions both online and in-person starting July 1st on Canada Day of 300 warm browns, hot reds and blue art piece submissions from the Amherstburg Community. Amherstburg community members came together to design pieces of art that were put together to create the beautiful mural that can be seen on the walls of the Libro Centre today.

Community Mosaic Mural Project (320 Richmond St.)

In 2021, the Amerstburg Community Mural Project was held virtually due to the pandemic that began in 2020. Amherstburg proved stronger than ever in their efforts to support local business, not-for-profits and engage in caremongering groups through social media. Amherstburg community members came together and connected virtually to design pieces of art that were put together to create the beautiful mural that can be seen on the walls of the Amherstburg Community Hub today.

Street Art

Richmond Centre Art Alley

In the alley between Richmond St. and Murray St. lies Richmond Centre Art Alley, a developing space of murals and historic mementos of Amherstburg’s past such as photographs and postcards. These photos represent varying aspects of our town’s history with each image that lines the walkway.

A list of featured photographs and their moments include:

Murray Street looking west from Ramsay Street, circa 1910. Photograph by Louis James Pesha, Michigan photographer

River View of Amherstburg, circa 1910. The photo was taken in the vicinity of the present-day King’s Navy Yard Park looking south. Wigle’s mill is visible in the background. Coal docks line the waterfront.

Dalhousie Street looking south from Richmond Street, circa 1911.

Passengers board the S.W.& A. streetcar on Richmond Street, 1911. Photo is taken looking east from Dalhousie Street. Photograph by Louis James Pesha, Michigan photographer.

View of the dance pavilion on Bob-Lo Island, circa 1915.

Four children on the north side of the earthworks at Fort Malden National Historic site, pre-1920. The large building shows the north side of the frame barracks. These barracks were divided into three homes and moved onto Laird Avenue.

Brunner Mond workers standing in front of the first shipment of soda ash, 1919.

The Albert Fox Livery on Richmond Street, circa 1910. Fox operated the stage between Amherstburg and Windsor, and Gordon and Amherstburg.PC26- Dalhousie Street looking north from Murray, 1908. The waterworks tower is visible in the background. P2939- Bois Blanc Island lighthouse, built in 1836.

Sculptures

Provincial Marine Monument – Feel the sweat!

Life size statues show intense emotion where you can actually see the sweat on the men depicted in this riveting bronze monument. Honoring Canada’s first Navy which is Amherstburgs very own, the Provincial Marine, this installation depicts the heroic efforts of marine engagement during the Battle of Lake Erie (1813). The vignette is created by local sculptor Mark Williams and is a spectacular backdrop for amazing photo ops along the waterfront in Kings Navy Yard Park.

Bring your camera!

LOCATION: King’s Navy Yard Park, 218 Dalhousie Street, Amherstburg, ON