Painted Huts

Rather than targets for graffiti, young local artists turn blank huts into artscapes. Words by Kristen Smith Photography by Anna Ferguson

It’s a story of community involvement, youth engagement and artistic prowess. Most of the huts housing equipment for the community volunteers who maintain Mississauga’s 36 natural outdoor rinks are one-toned – a tempting blank canvas for independent graffiti artists.
This winter, the City of Mississauga engaged 20 talented high school art students from Clarkson and Iona to give five of those huts a makeover. The previously unremarkable storage sheds were transformed by students over one weekend. Figure skaters and a snow angel decorate the hut in Port Credit Memorial Park. Bruce Reynolds Park received images of hockey players. Thornlodge Park, Hindhead Park and Sherwood Green Park are now homes to huts with seasonal embellishments such as snowflakes.

The City commissioned artist mentor Anna Ferguson to guide and assist the student artists. “If I’ve done a good job it’s because I haven’t had to apply any brushstrokes myself,” said an enthusiastic Ferguson. She compares her role to that of a music conductor. “I don’t like to take ownership for the art. Honestly, I design them, but they’re the ones doing beautiful shading and gradations and mixing the paints.”

Suzanne Zottola, visual arts teacher at Clarkson Secondary School, said the students appreciated the balance of direction and freedom to express themselves. “I think the rink huts add sort of an element of character to the parks so they’re not graffitied, they’re not damaged. They’re kind of a respected piece of property now.” said Zottola.

Shelley Tsolakis, the Community Development Co-ordinator for the city responsible for this particular project, said it is a combination of youth engagement and anti-vandalism initiatives. “There’s less chance it is going to get vandalized if it’s art or if it’s perceived as art,” said Tsolakis. One artist, Laura Henning, a Grade 11 student at Iona C.S.S., has been involved in mural projects around the city for more than a year. The confident 17-year-old worked primarily on the hut in Port Credit Memorial Park.

“It’s really cool to have that in my community, because I live so close to it,” said Henning. She can walk by with her friends and proudly say, “I did that.” The hockey-themed hut at Bruce Reynolds Park was intended as a tribute to the Reynolds family’s contribution to Mississauga. Bruce Reynolds started the Oakridge Park Hockey League in 1969. The league has grown from 40 children to 108 boys and girls, ages seven to 12. Instead of monetary payment, the league asks the parents to contribute 2 hours to rink
maintenance.
Frank Buckley, Manager of South District Parks for the City of Mississauga, calls the students’ artwork tasteful.
“It’s really nice to see something for the community, by the community.”