Public Art Program

Langs Drive Redevelopment Public Art - in progress

The Call for Artists deadline was March 31st, 2025 and the application portal is now closed. The process for selecting a permanent artwork for Langs Drive is currently in progress. 

The artwork will celebrate the Langs Drive community by exploring its rich history, identity, and culture, and reflect the themes of "home" and belonging. This highly visible location will receive significant pedestrian traffic and community interaction. The available space is 16m long x 2m wide. For full application requirements, please visit the Langs Drive Call for Submissions guidelines.

Waterloo Region Housing is redeveloping 581–595 Langs Dr., Cambridge, to replace 38 townhouse units with a five- and seven-storey residential building focused on energy efficiency and carbon reduction. This project will add nearly 100 affordable housing units and is expected to be completed by early 2027.

If you have questions about this project, please contact culturalservices@regionofwaterloo.ca.

Honouring These Lands and Waterways: Murals by Indigenous Artists at YKF

 For immediate release                                                                                                                January 20, 2025 

Honouring Indigenous Art and Culture at the Region of Waterloo International Airport

Waterloo Region – The Region of Waterloo is pleased to announce the selected artists for a new initiative to celebrate Indigenous art and culture at the Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF). This project, developed in relationship with the Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, and urban Indigenous communities in the region, is a significant step in recognizing and honouring Indigenous cultures and histories through public art at the airport.

As part of this initiative, three murals by Indigenous artists will be displayed in the Domestic Arrivals Building at YKF. The murals, under the theme "Honouring These Lands and Waterways," will reflect the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and diverse voices of Indigenous peoples. The three artists selected for this project include Jeannette Ladd, an Anishinaabe artist from Saugeen First Nation, Judy Ross Mack, an Urban Indigenous artist of Swampy Cree heritage from Weenusk First Nation, and Cheyenne Ricard, a Haudenosaunee artist of Mohawk and Tuscarora descent.

Their work was chosen through a jury process led by community members, ensuring that the selected artists reflect the diverse cultural perspectives of their respective communities.

“We are honoured to support this initiative that not only provides a platform for Indigenous artists but also ensures that Indigenous culture is recognized and celebrated in our community,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “By collaborating with First Nations and Indigenous artists, we are taking meaningful steps toward reconciliation and fostering understanding among all who pass through YKF.”

In addition to these murals, the airport is introducing an Indigenous languages greeting wall in YKF’s Domestic Arrivals area. Featuring greetings in various Indigenous languages, this initiative highlights the cultural significance of Indigenous languages to encourage awareness and learning among visitors.

Paula Whitlow, director of Truth and Reconciliation for the Region of Waterloo, shares, “Having these projects at the airport is important. It’s a place where many residents and travelers pass through, giving us a chance to share and honor the history, culture, and ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples. This is a meaningful way to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and encourage learning, reflection, and respect.”

In 2025, the Airport will celebrate its 75th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history as a vital transportation hub for the Region of Waterloo. While acknowledging this important milestone, the Region remains mindful of the thousands of years of Indigenous presence and the ongoing contributions of Indigenous peoples to the area. The public art pieces will be installed in the coming months, with completion expected by Spring 2025. On completion, the Region will share more information on how to experience these meaningful works of art.

Quotes from the Artists:

• Jeannette Ladd, Anishinaabe artist from Saugeen First Nation: “This mural is a powerful opportunity to honour the lands and waterways that have always been central to my life and culture. As an Anishinaabe artist, it’s about sharing the stories and values of my culture while creating a space for reflection and connection. My hope is that this piece will inspire people to see the land and water not just as resources, but as living entities that deserve care and respect. It’s a chance to celebrate our shared responsibility to honour and protect what sustains us all.”
• Judy Ross Mack, Urban Indigenous artist of Swampy Cree heritage from Weenusk First Nation: “When we offer prayers to the Grand River, we pray for all living beings that are connected. We feed her spirit so that we never forget how sacred water is to our everyday lives. It's purity. It's beauty. Most of all, for our survival.”
• Cheyenne Ricard, Haudenosaunee artist of Mohawk and Tuscarora descent: “I’m excited to share the stories of my nation’s people, honoring our history and culture through this project. It’s an opportunity to bring attention to the significance of these lands and waterways, and to represent my nation in a meaningful way.”

For more information about Public Art at the Region of Waterloo International Airport, visit: www.waterlooairport.ca/art/

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How public art is selected and funded

The Public Art Advisory Committee appoints a jury to review proposals from the art community for a particular Regional site. Jury members assess proposals based on selection criteria determined by the Public Art Advisory Committee.

A recommendation goes to Council for the approval of the public art selection and a payment from the Region's Public Art Reserve. 

Unanticipated maintenance of public art is financed by the facility where it is displayed. Routine costs for restoration or refurbishment are covered by the Public Art Reserve. 

The Region's Public Art Advisory Committee was established to administer the Region's Public Art Program.

The Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) is a group of volunteers comprising:

• One or two Regional Councillors
• Up to 10 community members representing the arts, arts education and the general public

Staff from Cultural Services, Legislative Services, Finance, and Facilities help to support the PAAC. Information on committee membership, agendas and minutes are available on the Committees page.

Public art on display

The map below shows where Region of Waterloo public artwork is located. 

Extraordinary Spaces is a series of brochures produced in 2011, in partnership with Area Municipalities, that outline public art across Waterloo Region. These public art tours will take you through Cambridge, Kitchener, and Waterloo. To request an alternate format of these documents, call 519-575-4400 or for deaf and hard of hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608.

• The Region's Grand Views 
• Kitchener's Downtown Stroll
• Waterloo's Uptown Trek 
• Cambridge's River Walk 

For up to date information on the public art collections and cultural activities of Area Municipalities, visit the following websites for the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and the townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, Woolwich.

ION public art

Dotted along the ION corridor, the collection of ION public art enhances the transit experience, while improving the cultural components of our community. 

Input through a series of public consultations was key in the selection process of the 10 art installations, with an aim to express and reflect Waterloo Region's unique identity.

We invite the community to explore the collection of public art along the corridor using the ION public art passport. ION public art can be found at the following transit stations:

GRT Cambridge Centre terminal: "Pin Art" by Ken Hall 

Fairway Station: "Arras" by Elana Zur and Lauren Judge

Fairway Station: "Shaping Residency" by Stephen Cruise

Block Line station: "Three Sisters" by Lindsey Lickers

Mill Street Station: "Tall Tales of Mill Street" by Tara Cooper and Terry O'Neill

Kitchener Market Station: "Because Cats Can't Fly" by Edwin and Veronica Dam De Nogales

Grand River Hospital Station: "Spinal Column" by Sandra Dunn 

Research and Technology Station: "The Passenger" by Brandon Vickerd 

Pedestrian Barrier Enhancement, near the WPL McCormick Branch: "Fabric of Place" by Lilly Otasevic    

Conestoga Station: "Continuum" by Catherine Paleczny 

Temporary Public Art Projects

In 2023, the Region's Public Art Program unveiled a two-year art loan project. After a public call for submissions and a jurying process, the following works created by local artists were installed at the Region of Waterloo International Airport:

• Memory and the Temporal Exchange, 2017, acrylic on canvas, by James Nye and Amber Pacheco installed in the Domestic Arrivals Building
• Crossing with the Light, 2019; Pedestrian Crossing #1, 2015; Otherwise Occupied, 2019, oil on canvas, by Sherry Czekus installed in the Departure Lounge
• The Wall of Nightmares and Dreams, 2010, by Ernest Daetwyler installed in the Departure Lounge

The Region looks forward to continuing this program with new artwork by local professional artists rotating every two years. Learn more about the airport installations by visiting the Art at YKF webpage.