The City of Pickering is celebrating frontline workers through two new murals to be installed at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC) in the coming months. Two Durham-based artists will be consulting with community members in order to create artworks that celebrate front line workers and first responders.

Zuna Amir, who will be creating a mural for an external wall of CHDRC, is a Pakistani-Canadian multidisciplinary artist based in Durham. She graduated from OCAD University with a Bachelor of Design majoring in Illustration and is now working as a freelance artist. Her work emphasizes form, line and detail as a response to the environment around her.

Malik McKoy, who is creating a mural for inside the CHDRC, is based in Ajax. McKoy is a recent graduate of OCAD University’s Drawing and Painting program and the Game Art and Animation program at Seneca College. McKoy’s work was featured in the 17th edition of MOMENTA in Montreal and in public screenings as part of Artworx TO with InterAccess and Toronto Animated Image Society.

“The Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex served as a vaccination centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our facility serves as a warming and cooling hub and plays a key role in supporting the health and wellness of Pickering residents. It’s fitting that the murals by local artists celebrating first responders will be featured at the Complex.” – Sarah Douglas Murray, Director Community Services

A celebratory event is in the works for Family Day, 2023 which will highlight the murals and other new creative initiatives in the City Centre area including a new public art installation “REFLECTIONS” by Studio F Minus.

Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex offers services and programs including  fitness classes and aquatic programs to residents across Durham Region. CHDRC is located at 1867 Valley Farm Road in Pickering, Ontario

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Bryen writes about local Durham community news, including regional events, municipality updates, entertainment, lifestyle, and the great outdoors. Email him directly if you want your business profiled or know a community member that deserves recognition - bryen@thelocalbizmagazine.com