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On September 12th, community members and leaders gathered at a ceremony to welcome new public art, the 'Circle of Life', to The Thornhill from The Daniels Corporation and Baif Developments. UrbanToronto was in attendance at the ceremony at the northwest corner of Bathurst Street and Beverley Glen Boulevard in Vaughan that highlighted a fusion of art, culture, and community.
The ceremony’s attendees included notable artists Edward Pien, a Toronto-based Canadian artist, and Jay Soule, an Indigenous artist from the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, alongside Jake Cohen, Chief Operating Officer of Daniels, and Paul Minz and Evan Miller from Baif. Gila Martow represented the City of Vaughan as Councillor for Ward 5.
Cohen led the event as the primary speaker, followed by Martow. Soule then spoke on the significance of the art piece. He also performed a traditional smudging ceremony.
The 'Circle of Life', crafted from stainless steel, features flowing forms incised with native flora and fauna that represent canoes, a nod to traditional Indigenous modes of transportation and connection. Surrounding the sculpture are seven rocks, each dedicated to different Indigenous tribes, symbolizing unity and respect among nations. Soule highlighted the recent return of eagles nesting in Toronto — a phenomenon that had not occurred in decades — as a metaphor for the resurgence of Indigenous culture.
Commissioned by The Daniels Corporation and Baif Developments under the City of Vaughan's Public Art Program, the installation was managed by Art + Public UnLtd. The work is meant to serve as a teaching tool, encouraging reflection on past lessons and inspiring stewardship of the environment.
The Thornhill is a masterplanned community designed by KIRKOR Architects and Planners that spans 3.5 acres and includes four multi-unit buildings. The first condominium rises 25 storeys and offers 1 to 3-bedroom suites. Residents have begun moving in over the past few months, enjoying amenities such as a gymnasium, party room, fitness centre, and outdoor terrace. Over 6,000 ft² of new commercial retail space along Bathurst Street further adds to the streetscape.
Located close to the Promenade Mall — which is undergoing significant redevelopment — The Thornhill’s 'Circle of Life' sculpture is a notable addition to the community's cultural landscape, offering residents and visitors alike a space for contemplation and appreciation of Indigenous artistry.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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| Related Companies: | Goldberg Group, Isotherm Engineering Ltd., KIRKOR Architects and Planners, Land Art Design Landscape Architects Inc, Live Patrol Inc., The Daniels Corporation |
