Art Scene in the Burg
Art Scene in the Burg “Search and Find”
Art in Amherstburg has been growing every year. Beautiful murals by local artists, painted hydrants by local students and artwork in the streets provided by Art Windsor Essex can be found all over downtown Amherstburg. Art is alive and well in Amherstburg. It’s contributing to making the town both a better place to live and a real tourism destination. Discover and explore our Art Scene in the Burg.
Using our “Search and Find” you can explore all of downtown Amherstburgs street art. Print off our search and find card or pick one up from the Gordon House and start exploring. Stay tuned for more art highlights in the community!
Download and Print our Search and Find Here
Check out our Mural Map Here
Or Pick up a “Search and Find” card at the Gordon House, 266 Dalhousie Street.
Murals
Our River Our Home Mural by artists Dylan and Dennis White
Our River Our Home Mural
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.
Check out the “Search and Find” to learn more about out amazing waterways and their significance.
This project was made possible by a generous contribution by Richard and Colleen Peddie.
General Amherst Murals restored by artist Jason Dyrda
General Amherst Murals
These nine mural panels were created using a unique application of granolux.
The panels depict the history of Amherstburg and a story of life from the 1800s. The images are simple in appearance, using solid bold colours. In 2012, prior to the Towns 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.
River Bookshop Murals
The River Bookshop , located at 67 Richmond St., has been lovingly restored to its original 135 year old beauty, painted white with architectural elements in black. However, the show stopper is the contrasting east side of the building which is adorned with a rainbow coloured open book exploding with hundreds of images. The work of local artist David Creed. The artwork is fittingly accompanied by the quote, “A Word after a word after a word is power”, Margaret Attwood.
If the artwork on the outside doesn’t draw you in, be sure to check out the artwork inside…the printed word and painted canvases alike!
by artist David Creed
by International Muralist DERKZ
On the corner of Richmond and Ramsay St. you’ll see amazing artwork done by International Muralist DERKZ depicting the beauty of opening ones mind and a celebration of our local wildlife.
66 Richmond Street Mural by DERKZ
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 2022
Community Mosaic Mural Project
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 2021
Community Mosaic Mural Project
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.
Flower Garden Mural - Ramsey St Alley
Flower Garden Mural – Ramsey St Alley
Using the Ramsey Alley space creatively this beautiful flower garden mural turned the alley into a lively, diverse sense of place where the energy creates opportunity for people to engage and interact. This mural represents a colourful transition to a real container flower garden coming in the summer of 2023. Take a peak on the north facing wall at Panetteria Bakery on Ramsey St. and behind Evelyn’s Candy House and White Woods Home to see this stunning mural.
Street Art
Students Painting Amherstburgs Fire Hydrants
Amherstburg's Fire Hydrants
You may notice something different about the fire hydrants in Amherstburg’s downtown district. Eleven fire hydrants have been artistically painted by local high school students in commemoration of Canada’s 150th birthday.
The imagery on the hydrants was carefully chosen to reflect Canada’s diverse culture. Hockey players, provinces, coloured shapes mirroring the Canada 150 logo and scenes from Canadian history appear as the artists’ subject matter. To view map of all hydrant locations.
While hunting down these 11 hydrants you will come across another art project that was created from 1964 to 1967 and is prominently displayed on the back of the Town’s high school, overlooking Toddy Jones Park.
Look Again! Outside: Amherstburg
Four group of seven artwork reproductions and work by local Artist Mary Celestino can be found outside along the streets of downtown Amherstburg; the Park House Museum, the clock tower, the Kings Navy Yard Park walkway next to the Gordon House, Ramsay St next to the River Bookshop and in front of the Post Office on Richmond St. This project called “Look Again! Outside: Amherstburg” was created by Art Windsor Essex to support cultural vibrancy and growing tourism on our beautiful downtown waterfront. They feature Canadian landscapes done in oil or acrylic such as Vancouver island, Lake Cognashene and Pembina Valley. The artwork adds color and character to our town.
An additional three paintings were just added through the Kings Navy Yard Park.
Take a walk using our “Search and Find”
View video description by Community Partner, Richard Peddie
Musicland Artwork - Dennis White
Musicland Storefront Artwork
On the front of the newly renovated refreshed Musicland on Richmond Street you can find two beautifully painted pianos along the walls done by artist Dennis White. The front door is painted with a music note and a guitar arm serves as the door handle. These great creative artwork additions were added to make Musicland look more like a music store and to invite people to come in to create and express themselves through music. Stop by and check out their beautiful storefront on your walk around downtown Amherstburg. The artwork gives a distinct nod to the Beatles.
Sculptures
Provincial Marine Monument
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
Forged Peace Monument
Artist Joe DeAngelis original sketch of the Forged Peace Monument
Forged Peace Monument
Peace-ing our history together.
Out of War, peace was indeed forged during the Amherstburg celebrations of the War of 1812 Bicentennial (1812-2012). In 2011, local artist Joe DeAngelis, lecturer and professor at the School of Visual Arts at the University of Windsor was commissioned to design, sculpt and cast the Forged Peace Monument.
This monument is a tribute to the bond that ties our great nation; Canada, with the military events that took place with our American friends. In partnership with sister city Put in Bay, Ohio, Munroe, Michigan, The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce and The Amherstburg Rotary Club #6400, the monument with its three muskets, roses and feather symbolize the paths that our Indigenous people and forefathers/mothers forged so that we can now enjoy peace, friendship and the longest, undefended border in the world! A time capsule awaits unveiling within.