Illustration students leave their mark on Scholars’ Green Park with public art installations

It’s not uncommon to spot an electrical box or two when taking a walk through the city. And although they are a necessary part of urban planning, electrical and utility boxes have historically been viewed as eyesores, and often become targets for graffiti.

Last year, the City of Mississauga saw an opportunity to transform these boxes into works of art, partnering with Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Illustration program to give the electric boxes at Scholars’ Green Park — an urban green space located adjacent to Sheridan’s Hazel McCallion Campus — a well-deserved makeover.

When the City reached out, Joe Morse, Sheridan’s Honours Bachelor of Illustration program coordinator, saw an opportunity to incorporate the initiative into the program’s third-year Illustration Professional Studies course as an option for a themed project.

“In the second semester of third year, students in the program have already experienced the fundamentals of visual communication, the conceptual approach to a variety of visual problems and are in the midst of developing their own voice in solving visual communication problems,” explained Morse. “This was a very well-placed challenge for the students to take on, if they chose to do so.”

With support of fellow Illustration faculty members Thom Sevalrud, Rick Sealock, Andrew Patterson, Katy Dockrill, Lynn Scurfield and Stuart McGinness, the project was quickly integrated into the program, and interested students were encouraged to submit a proposal for their designs.

In total, four designs created by six students — Journeying Together by Rachel He, Ellie Shim and Paul Phan; A Vibrant Forest by Emily Liang; Harmony and Wild and Free by Jasmine (Ziyuan) Zhang; Infinite Space by Chantal Lieu — were commissioned and funded by the City.

Alongside beautifying the electrical boxes and Scholars’ Green Park, the designs aimed to foster social interaction and celebrate the urban forest. For example, Lieu’s Infinite Space captures the park’s unique geometric shapes and Mississauga’s urban structure, all while celebrating the diverse population that lives in the city.

Taking inspiration from the geometric pathways in Scholars’ Green Park, Lieu used a three-point perspective — a drawing method that gives the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional illustration — in her artwork to provide her characters with sidewalks that lead to infinite pathways and opportunities to play and explore.

Recognizing that many of the City’s residents and workers come from a multitude of backgrounds, Lieu felt it was important to have them reflected in the characters she was creating.

“I wanted to show the bustling city life and community programs Mississauga has to offer, which welcome and connect people of all kinds,” said Lieu. “I also wanted to show representation of various cultural backgrounds, body types, ages, orientations and disabilities to reflect the many different kinds of life experiences...I wanted to show people that anyone can do anything and can act and interact without division or limits.”

Learn more about the Scholars' Green Park Box Wraps.

Learn more about Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Illustration program.

Photographs were taken by Tori Lambermont

Pictured top left: 'Infinite Space' art installation by Chantal Lieu located behind Sheridan's Hazel McCallion Campus in Scholars' Green Park in Mississauga

Picture bottom right: Chantal Lieu standing next to her art installation 'Infinite Space' at Scholars' Green Park in Mississauga