On Saturday, June 15, 2024, the City of Wrenford unveiled a new public art mosaic at the Downtown Transit Terminal. The artwork now greets commuters and visitors on the main concourse wall, adding colour and local history to a daily travel hub.
Created by a Wrenford-based mosaic artist, the piece is made from hand-cut glass, ceramic tiles, and smooth river stone gathered from the Tamsin River valley. The design captures the flow of the Tamsin River as it winds past the old mill district, under the Centennial Bridge, and through the growing neighbourhoods of the city. Bright blue and green glass pieces represent the water, while warm amber and grey tones reflect the city's manufacturing roots and the rocky Benchlands escarpment.
"Public art is a great way to make transit spaces feel welcoming and truly reflect our community's story," said Robert Eng, City Manager. "We're thrilled to have this mosaic as a permanent fixture for commuters and visitors alike."
The mosaic was commissioned through the City's Public Art Commission Programme, which sets aside one per cent of eligible capital project budgets for artwork. It was selected from a public call for submissions last year by a jury of local artists and residents. The installation was completed in partnership with the Downtown Wrenford BIA and funded through the transit terminal's recent renovation project.
The artwork is installed in a covered, climate-controlled area of the terminal, so it is protected from the weather and easy to view year-round. You can see it during any time the Downtown Transit Terminal is open. The City encourages you to take a photo and share it on social media with the hashtag #BuiltByTheRiver.
If you would like to explore other commissioned works across the city, visit the public art map. You can also learn more about how the City selects artists and funds future projects through the Arts & Heritage section.
