Jeffrey Weekes is the artist behind Old Mill Park’s newest feature
Project Initiated by Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce
Work is by Local artist Jeffrey Weekes
Now there are two works of art in the park that will be of interest to visitors and residents alike; the latest addition is a landscape mural “that showcases the scenery and unique charm of the outdoors in Trent Hills.”The mural was revealed to the public Aug. 3 at an unveiling organized by Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce, which initiated the $14,200 project and funded it in part.Adrianne Towns, a member of the chamber’s board of directors and a past chair, introduced the artist Jeffrey Weekes, saying he had done “an incredible job capturing the spirit of Trent Hills.” Each of the mural’s five panels “tells a story of our wonderful outdoors”, from the scenic Trent-Severn Waterway to fishing and boating, to cycling the trails, “to enjoying a few moments of rest and relaxation,” Towns said.The area’s agricultural heritage is also featured, “along with the beauty of the rolling hills and captivating skies. There is even a nod to the lilacs on the Millennium Trail.”
Trent Hills Mayor Bob Crate said “public art is an excellent way to attract visitors and beautify a community, which is why murals were added to the list of eligible Community Improvement Plan (CIP) projects.
He thanked Weekes for painting a mural “”highlighting all the wonderful assets” that Trent Hills has to offer, while “setting an example for future projects to come,” because murals do draw visitors as has been shown in Hastings, and they also tell something about the history of the municipality.
The chamber provided $3,750 from its tourism infrastructure reserves toward the cost of the project and the Municipality of Trent Hills $5,000 through CIP. The rest of the money came from the Tourism Relief Fund (federal) and Kawarthas Northumberland Regional Tourism Organization 8 (provincial).
Towns said Weekes painted the scenes on smaller panels which were then transformed into digital artwork by professional photographer Paul Lawrence. The two men worked with BMR Manufacturing to print the art on vinyl and install it on aluminum panels that were placed within a framework created by J.G. Robinson Construction. Steve Redden Welding made the brackets that were used to attach the mural to a shipping container set outside the chamber building where kayaks that will become available for rental in the coming weeks will be stored.
Weekes said it was a “great pleasure and honour” for him to have his design selected.
“I am relatively new in the community, but I love it dearly.” It’s a “ really, really special” place and his aim was to “capture” what he loves about the community and “the peacefulness of it.”
He agreed with the mayor that arts bring in and engages people, “and I really hope to be a part of more projects just like this one.”
Weekes, who moved to the area in 2018, said in an interview that when the chamber requested proposals for murals, he “really jumped” at the opportunity to get involved in the community and “help beautify the area.”
A “classically trained” artist from Toronto, Weekes said he hadn’t painted murals in years, as he had turned his attention to carving out a career in renovations while doing portrait work and commissioned paintings on the side.
Each of the panels are roughly four by eight feet, he said.
