VIDEO: Mural artist speaks on importance of sharing culture, public art

SooToday cameras had a chance to speak with Indigenous artist Tom Sinclair about his recent downtown mural located at 27 King St.

The work is part the Summer Moon Festival aimed at increasing community engagement by shining a spotlight on Ontario artists.

As an Ojibway from Couchiching First Nation, Sinclair is especially close to the subject matter and hopes that projects like this will help foster a more inclusive environment for others that may feel their voices are going unheard.

In light of the recent finding of hundreds of unmarked graves at former residential school sites, he believes now more than ever is an important time to share his culture.

"One person can make a difference, you just have to take the first step," Sinclair says.

He is one of several artists currently in the final phases of completing the city's newest batch of murals.

Other participating artists include Cindy Haat (648 Queen St.) Mark Grandinetti (216 Queen St.), Daniela Rocha Moreno (80 March St.), and returning artist Bacon with collaborators QueRock and Peru143 (247 Albert St. West).

For more information and to see some of the other works, please visit the Summer Moon Festival Facebook page