The Bain Avenue Mural Project

The Bain Avenue Mural (BAM) Project is a community-driven initiative to transform the schoolyard retaining wall on the Bain Avenue side of Withrow Avenue Junior Public School/Quest Alternative Senior School into an expansive art installation.An organizing committee consisting of Bain Apartments Co-operative members and Withrow Avenue Junior Public School parents have collaborated on a proposal to have a mural for this wall painted by acclaimed artist and historian Philip Cote.The two images at the top of this page comprise the original mural design that Philip submitted to the BAM Project organizing committee. The proposed mural will share The Seven Grandfather Teachings from the Ojibway culture. The current plan is to have the words for each teaching spray-painted directly on the wall by Kwest, the graffiti artist on Philip’s team. The words, written in Anishinaabe, will be the background. Philip will paint the corresponding animal on large, circular panels made from marine-grade plywood and affixed to the retaining wall.The goal is to improve the appearance of the neighbourhood while bringing the theme of Indigenous-settler reconciliation alive and building capacity for intercultural understanding, empathy and mutual respect.

More than a mural

Beyond leading the mural painting, Philip Cote has also mentored junior students at Withrow Avenue PS, sharing knowledge about The Seven Grandfather Teachings and guiding the participating students to create their own artwork in the Woodlands style, which originated with Anishinaabe artist Norval Morrisseau.In November 2020 (online) and again in January 2024 (in person), Philip facilitated two-day art workshops with the junior grades at Withrow to help students better understand the project’s significance and correlating Indigenous teachings and themes.
Day 1 focused on ancestral teachings and the Morrisseau style while guiding students in drawing their own designs in pencil on canvas. On Day 2, the students used paint to bring colour to their designs. These workshops were gratefully and enthusiastically received by students and teachers alike.

Samples of student work

The BAM Project will include future community events as learning opportunities for students and their families and other community members to explore Indigenous-settler relations.Event details will be posted on this site when they are available.

About the artist

Philip Cote is a Sundancer, Pipe Carrier and Sweat Ceremony leader recognized by Elder Vern Harper and Floyd Looks for Buffalo Hand. Philip is from Moose Deer Point First Nation (First Nations Affiliation: Shawnee, Lakota, Potawatomi, Ojibway and Algonquin). Philip received his Indigenous name Noodjmowin (The Healer) in 1979 from Joe Couture and was made a member of the Falseface Society at the Seneca longhouse in 1992.A graduate of OCAD University’s Interdisciplinary Art Media and Design Masters program in 2015, Philip has been exploring new ways to imbue sculpture and painting through oral traditions of storytelling and with traditional spiritual perspectives.His in-depth studio experience includes drawing, painting, soapstone carving, traditional drum-making, wood burning, bracelets/chokers, dream catchers, miniature villages, painting on birch bark, sculpting portraiture in clay, and multimedia (integrating illustration with photography and digital manipulation) and contemporary art installation.

His academic practice includes public speaking, land acknowledgements, Indigenous Cosmology and cultural interpretation offered at York University, the AGO, U of T, Ryerson, OCAD and the TDSB through the Aboriginal Education Centre.Philip aims to bring accuracy to the colonial archives through new research via archival and lived cultural practice and a deep understanding of cultural symbolism.Learn more about Philip and see examples of his work.

Project team

Kwest, street graffiti artist

Project background

The mission of the Bain Avenue Mural Project is inspired by sections 63 and 83 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action. Section 63 calls for legislative commitment to indigenizing school curriculum. Section 83 calls for legislative support for Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists to collaborate on projects that contribute to the reconciliation process.Our vision is to promote Indigenous-settler reconciliation and healing through arts education. We are grateful to have had the guidance of Wisdom Keeper Pauline Shirt, and the support of the Urban Indigenous Education Centre.The Bain Avenue Mural Project aims to promote dialogue about contemporary Indigenous issues. It is important to acknowledge that Withrow/Quest school was built on Indigenous land (as noted on this Toronto Historical Board plaque). We must address the injustice that arises when settlers view Indigenous existence on the land through a colonial lens, focusing on the “historical and archaeological significance” of sacred human remains and objects that settlers have disturbed and unearthed without consent or respect.

Be part of the BAM Project

The BAM Project is made possible through the dedication of volunteers who want to nurture a kinder, fairer and more inclusive world.Here are a few letters of support that we have received from our community:
Letter from TDSB School Trustee 11/2019
Letter from East End Arts 11/2019
Letter from City Councillor 11/2019
Letter from MPP 11/2019
Letter from MP 11/2019
Letter from local realtor about positive impact 04/2021
Letter from Withrow Parent Council 05/2021

Join the Bain Avenue Mural Project Organizing Committee: Help us organize future community events in anticipation of the mural installation in fall 2025.Join the Withrow School Council Truth and Reconciliation Committee: Be a liaison between the school and the Bain Avenue Mural Project Organizing Committee. Sponsor funding applications for school initiatives from the Parent Council and help run those projects at the school.Upcoming events
An upcoming school information session and community town hall (dates TBD) will be an opportunity to learn more about the project and ask questions.Past events
September 2024, 2023, 2022 - BAM Project info table at the Bain Co-op Street Festival
May 27, 2023 - Members of the BAM Project Organizing Committee had an info table at the Withrow Ave JPS Fun Fair to update the school community about the BAM Project
June 2023 & June 2024 - Representatives of the BAM Project Organizing Committee shared updates about the BAM Project at the final Withrow Parent Council meeting of the school year
Wednesday, April 7, 2021 - Parent and Staff Information Night, during which members of the BAM Project Organizing Committee presented to Withrow parents and caregivers about the project, its current status and next steps. Hosted by the Withrow Parent Council following its April meeting.

FAQ

Q: How has the Indigenous community in Toronto been consulted about the mural?
A: The BAM Project organizing committee worked with the Urban Indigenous Education Centre through the process of engaging an Indigenous artist for the mural, and the project has received guidance from Wisdom Keeper Pauline Shirt and lead artist Philip Cote.Q: What is the collaboration process for the mural?
A: The TDSB, the school and the surrounding community are all key stakeholders. The TDSB supports this initiative and is working with the organizing group to commit resources to repair and prepare the wall for the installation of the mural by lead artist Philip Cote.The BAM Project organizing committee has also been working with the school to engage staff, students, and parents and caregivers in consultation and education workshops. On April 7th 2021, an information night was held for the Withrow School community after which there was a unanimous vote to have the Parent Council write a letter of support for the project. At this time, our school trustee, superintendent, city councillor, MPP and MP all joined in support of the mural project as well.This project has been a long time in the making, and outreach efforts are now focused on updating the school and surrounding community about the project and bolstering support and excitement. Regular updates will be provided at Withrow Parent Council meetings, in school newsletters, in email lists and flyers. An upcoming school information session and community town hall (dates TBD) will be other forums to learn more about the project and ask questions.If you have a question, would like to be on our email list or want to send us some feedback, please contact us at [email protected].Q: How will the mural be funded?
A: A formal grant application was submitted by the BAM Project organizing committee to the 2022 Street Art Toronto (StART) Support Mural Program that funds murals in Toronto, and we are thrilled to announce that our application was successful! Money for the project has also been gratefully raised through an Ontario Arts Council Artists in Communities and Schools grant, a GoFundMe campaign, community events and the Withrow Home and School Association.Q: What is the timeline for completing the mural?
**A: ** Our successful StART grant result was received in May 2023. The TDSB will next repair and prepare the retaining wall. The installation of the mural by artist Philip Cote is scheduled to be completed by fall 2025.Q: Won’t the mural suffer weather damage or get dirty over time?
A: A protective coating will be applied to the mural that will allow it to be washed and cleaned.Q: What if the mural is graffiti tagged or damaged?
**A: **There are no guarantees that the mural won’t attract graffiti tagging; however, murals in Toronto by Indigenous artists or that incorporate graffiti seem to be targeted less often. Cleaning solutions are available to remove graffiti tagging.Q: Where can I learn more about the project?
A: Feel free to email us for more information. We'll get back to you as soon as possible.

Contact us

For questions or comments or to be part of the BAM Project team, please email us.[email protected]