“Emerging“
A Public Art Project with 130 Young Artists.
“We want to show the struggle of Ontario Turtles”
Organizers: Ruth Anne Merner | Judy Gerber | Kelli Phillips | Jim Dawe
Grade 5/6 Students from these schools
Bonsanquet Public School | Hillside School | Our Lady of Mount Carmel | Grand Bend Public School
Photo courtesy of Brian Lasenby – Painted Turtles
Our sculpture began with 130 young artists from 4 public schools learning and creating their own turtle with clay during the 2024 Paint Ontario pottery station. Students were made aware of the impact public art can have and that if they join together they can make a larger statement.
Ruth Anne Merner on our Public Art Project
Our public art is meant to stimulate conversation and bring awareness to the eight endangered turtle species found in Ontario.
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Young Artists Leave Their Mark
With the help of many volunteers, students were guided through the process of making their turtle and leaving their mark. Imprints were made by hand or with the tread of their shoes. The 130 clay turtles that were built during Paint Ontario 2024, became the focus of the final sculpture.
The turtles were made in 20 minute sessions so we had to test the process.
These were our testers
First make the body and legs, then assemble. Lastly, 130 children leave their mark…
Judy Gerber – turning clay into pottery
Build, fire, stain, glaze, fire…
Many hands make light work – Volunteers Staining 130 turtles
Choosing the Overall Design and Building the Base
Judy, Ruth Anne and Kelli had a discussion on how to display 130 pieces of turtle art and how to send out our message. We wanted a base of natural materials like wood and metal, and something that depicted the trouble turtles were experiencing and their climb to remain viable in SW Ontario. It was decided that we needed a sphere to represent the world and we wanted the turtles to be emerging from a stream or river – crawling up to make their statement. Jim Dawe stepped up and volunteered to make our beautiful base.
Jim designs a sphere prototype
Do turtles look good on cedar
Judy placing turtles
Paths of the turtles
Ruth Anne discusses rocks on the base?
Jim with the last draft before production
Jim Dawe on the significance of the cedar rails and the process of making them perfect for our sculpture
The Struggle of our 8 Turtle Species in SW Ontario
We are facing a crisis in our natural environment and if we don’t STOP and become aware, it’s going to be too late.
Over 70% of Southern Ontario’s wetlands have been drained, filled or otherwise converted to other uses. The biggest danger to Ontario turtles is habitat loss. The wetlands that remain are often fragmented by roads. Over half the turtles killed on roads are adult female turtles going to lay eggs. Other significant dangers are poaching, where people take them home for pets, or predators.
Blanding’s Turtle – Threatened in Ontario, Endangered in Canada
Spotted Turtle – Endangered in Ontario and Canada
Northern Map Turtle – Special Concern in Ontario and Canada
Painted Turtle (Midland) – Special Concern in Canada
Eastern Musk Turtle – Special concern in Ontario and Canada
Snapping Turtle – Special Concern in Ontario and Canada
Wood Turtle – Endangered in Ontario, Threatened in Canada
Spiny Softshell Turtle – Endangered in Ontario and Canada
Join the Cause and Be Part of the Solution
In closing…
Stand up for SW Ontario’s 8 threatened turtles
-Educate yourself. Advocate to stop building on sensitive wetlands.
-Get involved in conservation on your property and in your community.
-Help turtles navigate our dangerous roads.
We invite businesses and organizations throughout Southwestern Ontario to enjoy our sculpture and help share our message by booking this mixed media piece for display in their own space. Let’s make this public!
There is no cost and we will do the delivery and pick-up
Thank you to Brian Lasenby, for his amazing photos of the Snapping and Painted Turtles and Ontario Turtle Conservation Network for images and information for our project. Also, thanks to the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority for connecting us with these other exceptional groups.