City celebrates public art initiatives in the downtown

This past Saturday, City officials joined community partners to celebrate a growing collection of public art installations and restoration projects that are helping tell London’s story and create vibrant public spaces for residents and visitors alike.

These recent additions include:

• New public art on Dundas Place banners, kiosks and planters
• A new Songlines installation, Counterpoint in the windows of the J. Allyn Taylor Building
• The continued installation of art on Rapid Transit shelters downtown, and across the city
• Recent restoration work on The People and the City monument

“Public art does more than beautify our city. It creates connections, inspires conversation and reflects the stories that make London unique,” said Mayor Josh Morgan. “We are fortunate to have such a vibrant and talented arts community, and I encourage Londoners to come downtown this summer, take a stroll along Dundas Place and experience the new artwork that brings this space to life. There’s something new to discover, and it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the creativity that makes our city special.”

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About the art on Dundas Place

Four artists were commissioned to create original designs featured on banners, planters, and kiosks throughout Dundas Place, transforming each block with unique artwork that reflects community, culture, and the natural environment.

In the Rhythm by Amsa Yaro celebrates the joy and connection that music creates. Emily Schuyler’s K^ thoi:ke’hse explores seasonal cycles, local ecosystems, and the teachings carried through the land. Jamelie Hassan’s Birds and Books in Flight combines imagery of Canada geese and open books, inspired by the luminous colours of her glass mosaic work. Katie Wilhelm’s The Living Street highlights the relationships between people, nature, and the urban environment, encouraging discovery and connection throughout the downtown core.

About the Songlines installation

Counterpoint, by Michaela Devine Altenburg and Montana Summers is a collaborative work that combines dance, sculpture, and photography into a public artwork. This project draws on the musical connections between the sculptural work of Jeffrey Rubinoff and the expressive nature of dance. Rubinoff, a highly regarded London-based sculptor, directly explored musical concepts in his three-dimensional artworks.

About the People and the City Restoration

Created in 1991 by artists Stuard Reid and Doreen Balabanoff, The People and the City recognizes the many individuals who have shaped London’s history, including Indigenous People, early settlers, educators, artists, philanthropists, community leaders, and others. 

As London celebrates its 200^th anniversary, the restoration of this landmark public artwork helps preserve an important piece of the city’s heritage for future generations. 

About art on Rapid Transit shelters

Public artwork created by local London artists is being incorporated into new Rapid Transit shelters along the Downtown Loop, East London Link, and Wellington Gateway corridors.

The artwork reflects themes identified through community consultation during the Rapid Transit Environmental Assessment (EA), the planning process used to gather public input and evaluate the Rapid Transit system. Themes include local history, culture, diversity, transportation, and London's UNESCO City of Music designation.

Artwork has already been installed at Ontario and King and Wellington and King, with public engagement for future shelter artwork planned in the coming months. For updates, visit getinvolved.london.ca/rapidtransitart.