Main Street Art

2021-2022 Public Art Piece

Mounted on the corner of Main Street and Poyntz Street,  “Sans Souci” means without care or worry, and this piece is meant to invoke the feeling of experiencing a peaceful dream while reflecting the Town’s Indigenous and Francophone cultures. 

More information about “Sans Souci”: 

 “Sans Souci” means without care or worry, and this piece is meant to invoke the feeling of experiencing a peaceful dream while reflecting the Town’s Indigenous and Francophone cultures. The dreamcatcher symbolizes oneness and is indicative of First Nation identity. The infinity symbol represents the Métis and the coming together of two distinct and vibrant cultures. The canoe has been a time-honoured mode of transportation for Indigenous Peoples and today also serves as a recreational pastime for all. The canoe is positioned on the infinity symbol's upper arcs to symbolize both the waves of Penetanguishene Bay and the 'White Rolling Sands' as translated from the Town’s First Nations name. The form in the canoe is intentionally generic to represent everyone, inviting us to see ourselves “Living the Dream in Penetanguishene.” - Wayne Quesnelle 

2019-2020 Main Street Art Project

Public Art Unveiling

On Saturday, February 15, 2020, the sculpture "Land of the White Rolling Sands" by local artist Camille Myles was unveiled on Main Street. Mayor Doug Leroux conducted the ceremony and was accompanied by members of Council of the Town of Penetanguishene, MP Bruce Stanton, MPP Jill Dunlop, Simcoe County Warden and Mayor of the Township of Tiny George Cornell, Mayor of Midland Stewart Strathern, Mayor of the Township of Tay Ted Walker and Chief Guy Monague of Beaulsoleil First Nation. 

Included in the ceremony was a reading of the piece which was the inspiration for Camille Myles in three languages: English, French and Anishinaabemowin (below).

Held by a stylized paddle, a large mirrored sphere on an inclined surface reflects the town’s vibrant streetscape, grounding it into the present. The sphere brings the onlooker to think about the duality of our present; anchored both in the past while hoping for a better tomorrow, which may also be an uphill journey. Together we can be proud of our past, richly imprinted by First people’s culture and identity. Playing with abstracted symbols of Penetanguishene, this piece forces us to focus on where we are, taking in all the reflections that surround us. In an ever-disconnected world, this piece grounds the onlooker to where they are and brings consciousness to this place; a land of the white rolling sands where dreams are lived...

Maanda waweyaamgad e-waasaab’kidek miinwaage makshawaagan e-zoonjib’nang, wiidookwaawan ebiwaamjigejik ji mikwendmowad nongom miinwa mewnzha ga’zhinaagok.

 Kina go giinwind daa g’chi-nendaamin makwenmaang nongom miinwa mewznha gaandaajig maa.

 Ki waabshka gwiish paapowngose, wenjibamgak b’waajigewin

 This translation was completed by the following Beausoleil First Nation language speakers: Myrtle Jamieson, Bob Monague, Velma Smith, Jake King, H.Neil Monague, Melvin King, Lenore King, Emily Norton

Retenu par une pagaie stylisée, un grand miroir sphérique sur une surface inclinée reflète les paysages dynamiques de la rue pour les ancrer dans le présent. La sphère suscite chez l’observateur la réflexion sur la dualité du moment présent, fondé à la fois dans le passé et dans l’espoir d’un avenir meilleur qui pourrait également s’avérer un parcours difficile. Ensemble, nous pouvons être fiers de notre passé qui porte les riches empreintes de la culture et de l’identité des Premiers peuples. En jouant avec les symboles abstraits représentant Penetanguishene, l’œuvre nous force à nous concentrer sur l’endroit où nous sommes et à absorber toutes les réflexions qui nous entourent. Dans un monde si peu connecté, l’œuvre enracine l’observateur là où il se trouve et porte à sa conscience le lieu-même; la terre des sables blancs ondulés où les rêves se concrétisent…

Tnu par unn ram bin dékawré unn gros boul de mirouèr sur unn surfas inkliné reflèkt lé chmin dla vil lé tnan planté danl lprézan. Ste boul law pèrmè o viziteur lé deu zimaj de nawt prézan : ankré danl pawsé pi èspéran dun mèyeur avnir ki pourè mèm awouèr dé mawman bin difisil.

Ensanb nou zot on peu dèt fyèr de nawt pawsé kiya dé mark chèr dla kultsur pi lèkxistanss dé premiyé  peup. En jouan avèk lé zimaj obskur ki rprézent Pènétanguichinn (Penetanguishene) sé kréawtsyon nou fon pawsé sur la plas dou kon né pi de rtenir tous ki yaw otour de nou. Dan zun mond si peu kawnèkté sèt euv ramèn lé spèktateur drèt law déyou ki son pi lé fèr sonjé a ste plas law: La tèr de sawb blan roulan déyou kon vi lé rèv.

Uni ansanb

This translation was completed by the following

Métis Nation of Ontario, Métis Languages Advisory Committee

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