By Sandra Pilote
Lowertown is now home to Ottawa’s largest mural. In November, this colourful mural titled Transformation: The Welcoming Ottawa Mural was unveiled on the Rideau Street wall of 215 Wurtemburg, an Ottawa Community Housing building. Designed by artist Claudia Salguero, the mural was funded by Paint it Up!, an initiative of Crime Prevention Ottawa and the City of Ottawa Diversity in Arts Fund as well as Ottawa Community Housing.
The participants involved in creating the mural reflect the diversity of our community. Individuals involved with the Tenants Circle at 215 Wurtemburg and the Lowertown Community Resource Centre were among the more than 60 volunteers from 32 countries involved in painting the 68 panels for the wall mural.
The mural will become a permanent legacy recognizing Welcoming Ottawa Week, an annual event that acknowledges our city’s appreciation of newcomers from around the globe.