An artist and art educator in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada is leading a collaborative art project that will give people across the region a chance to express themselves through a public art installation.

The project, called Belong Together, involves producing 1/4″ thick MDF tiles that are being distributed to anyone who wants to take part across the region. Jason Panda, the artist lead, has teamed up with “talented maker” Cam Turner of Tinker Truck to produce thousands of tiles that will be eventually assembled together in a space yet to be determined. As of Feb. 8, more than 3,600 tiles had been cut, according to the Belong Together project site.

The goal of the effort is ultimately to connect people who are feeling isolated, notes Panda. “Since March 2020, I’ve noticed a common thread in conversations with my students, family, and friends,” says Panda in a video. “We feel alone… It’s not easy to remember that we’re still a piece of this incredible and rich community, even though we feel alone.”

While the tiles cost about $1 each, the project organizers are accepting donations (through a GoFundMe campaign or PayPal/e-transfer) to help offset costs and provide for someone who might not be able to contribute. While the original plan was to produce 3,000 tiles, strong initial support bolstered the goal to 7,000. More than 71 donors had contributed $2,915 to the project as of Feb. 10.

Individual tile deliveries/pickups are temporarily stalled due to COVID-19, but organizers are encouraging people to order a box at one of several pickup points throughout the region.

People Encouraged to Get Creative for Collaborative Art Project

Once people have safely received their tile, it’s up to them how to design it to get their message across. Organizers say markers and acrylic paint will work best. Those participating are encouraged to share their process through a short video to be posted on the project’s Facebook and Instagram. A video on the project site also notes there will be “educational videos” from artists to provide inspiration.

When the tiles will be assembled is still up in the air. “We’ve been fuzzy on an installation date because it completely depends on when we’re able to physically come together,” says Panda, who adds that organizers have been in talks with the city, community centres, and schools, and there’s a chance of displaying sections of the mural in multiple venues.

The assembled tiles are known as “tessallations” made popular by graphic artist M.C. Escher. “As an art form, viewers are constantly finding new points of interest to catch their attention as positive and negative spaces intertwine and slide together creating intricate shapes and stories,” notes the site, adding Panda has been exploring the concept since 2016 through previous public installations.

Panda says he has garnered interest to participate in the collaborative art project from groups outside Waterloo region, and is currently “brainstorming” on that.

Interested in other arts projects happening around Southern Ontario? Check out the following stories and get involved!

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And if you know of or are working on any local arts projects, please let us know in the comments below!