As customers arrive at McCormick Branch Library, they see a large wall completely painted with a wide and detailed scene. This mural was created in 1997 as a community project and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Waterloo County Tole and Decorative Painters Guild (WCTDPG). It involved the work of 35 people over a three week period.
The mural includes a transition through the four seasons as well as a change from night to day. Many local landmarks are depicted including the St. Jacobs tourist train and station, Seagram’s, Waterloo’s Velker House, Chicopee, the Victoria Park clock tower, Castle Kilbride, Doon Pioneer Tower, the West Montrose covered bridge and the New Hamburg water wheel.
Many children (and adults) play “I spy” when arriving at the library, challenging family and friends to see what they can see – frogs, sheep, cows, geese, a mouse, a rabbit, cats and a dog. Library staff are often asked if new elements have been added (they haven’t!!) as customers have seen something they never noticed before.
As well as the large wall, a smaller end wall is painted as book shelves. The “titles” of these books, as well as the “authors” are actually a record of the artists who created the mural, and of the elements each painted. One young customer I know pauses on her way out of the library to select one pretend book to add to her other reading selections.
Some of the artists have included very personal depictions – their own cat or dog, a son’s name on a hockey stick, and in the case of Margaret Kraemer, her grandfather’s ice delivery wagon, right down to the company name and the four digit phone number of the time.
I recently talked to Margaret about the WCTDPG. The Guild meets monthly in the Albert McCormick Community Centre community room just opposite the mural - which is how they originally noticed the blank wall as a possible mural site. As well as each member’s personal projects, the Guild gives back to the community. They have painted a whole room at the Courthouse in the area where crimes against children are tried, to provide a more comfortable setting for young victims or witnesses. Their current project through the Bereavement Program at Grand River Hospital is providing Memory Boxes to mothers who have lost a child at birth. The Guild’s decorated boxes, along with quilts provided by the Quilter’s Guild are designed for keeping treasured mementos of the child.
The Guild welcomes new members. Anyone wanting information may contact Margaret Kraemer at mkraemer@golden.net or call 519-885-1104.
On your next visit to McCormick Branch Library pause to enjoy – and likely see something you haven’t noticed before – our beautiful mural.
The mural includes a transition through the four seasons as well as a change from night to day. Many local landmarks are depicted including the St. Jacobs tourist train and station, Seagram’s, Waterloo’s Velker House, Chicopee, the Victoria Park clock tower, Castle Kilbride, Doon Pioneer Tower, the West Montrose covered bridge and the New Hamburg water wheel.
Many children (and adults) play “I spy” when arriving at the library, challenging family and friends to see what they can see – frogs, sheep, cows, geese, a mouse, a rabbit, cats and a dog. Library staff are often asked if new elements have been added (they haven’t!!) as customers have seen something they never noticed before.
As well as the large wall, a smaller end wall is painted as book shelves. The “titles” of these books, as well as the “authors” are actually a record of the artists who created the mural, and of the elements each painted. One young customer I know pauses on her way out of the library to select one pretend book to add to her other reading selections.
Some of the artists have included very personal depictions – their own cat or dog, a son’s name on a hockey stick, and in the case of Margaret Kraemer, her grandfather’s ice delivery wagon, right down to the company name and the four digit phone number of the time.
I recently talked to Margaret about the WCTDPG. The Guild meets monthly in the Albert McCormick Community Centre community room just opposite the mural - which is how they originally noticed the blank wall as a possible mural site. As well as each member’s personal projects, the Guild gives back to the community. They have painted a whole room at the Courthouse in the area where crimes against children are tried, to provide a more comfortable setting for young victims or witnesses. Their current project through the Bereavement Program at Grand River Hospital is providing Memory Boxes to mothers who have lost a child at birth. The Guild’s decorated boxes, along with quilts provided by the Quilter’s Guild are designed for keeping treasured mementos of the child.
The Guild welcomes new members. Anyone wanting information may contact Margaret Kraemer at mkraemer@golden.net or call 519-885-1104.
On your next visit to McCormick Branch Library pause to enjoy – and likely see something you haven’t noticed before – our beautiful mural.
Lex
1 comments:
Thanks for reminding us about this beautiful "gem" at McCormick. I'm overdue for another look!
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