The Faces and Places of Davenport Perth:
Exploring Identity, Place, and Belonging

The Faces and Places of Davenport Perth: Exploring Identity, Place, and Belonging 

Davenport Perth is a community that cares about itself. It represents the world.”Project participant”

MAMC invited participants of the DPNCHC Drop-In to co-create a 4-panel installation based on the faces and places of the Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Community.

This creative journey, which lasted over eight weeks, combined drawing, painting, and collage to form a collaborative map.

The early history of the Davenport Perth community was an important conversation as participants told us that Davenport Road was part of a First Nations trail, connecting the Don River and the Humber River. It was known as "Gete-Onigaming," Ojibwe for "at the old portage. From the Don River, the trail followed the Rosedale Valley Road up to the current Davenport Road. The trail followed Davenport to Old Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue, then west along St. Clair to the Lambton area. For this reason, images of old maps and dwellings are juxtaposed against the buildings we see today in the artwork. 

The project began with a brainstorming session of the places people frequent in the neighbourhood, - The Stop Food Centre, the Davenport Perth Church and Community Centre, The Junction, apartment buildings,  houses, schools, the police station, local shops,  businesses, major intersections, power lines, train tracks, parks, places for recreation, transportation, intersections, and community amenities. Photographs of these landmarks became the reference material for the project. 

Images of the faces of people in the group and the wider community were an integral part of the work alongside the buildings, landmarks, and signage in the Davenport Perth Neighbourhood.

A colour palette was chosen to unify the work. Each participant included a self-portrait and contributed to painting themselves and other key people at the community centre.

The completed work is a celebration of community. The work will be displayed in the space where it was created, as a celebration of a vibrant community.

“When I came to Canada from Nigeria I stayed in this building on Davenport Road with my young family. Later I owned the Dollar Store on Old Weston Road. I have drawn both buildings because they tell my story”. Gabriel (Project participant)

“During COVID-19, I would bring my children to Earlscourt Park. I love this park. I think it saved my life during that difficult time when we were all locked up in our apartments and so scared of the epidemic all around us”. Teresa (Project participant.) 

“I met my boyfriend here on the steps of Davenport Perth Community Center. He was playing the guitar and I played the piano at the Drop-in so music brought us together”. Anne (Project participant)

Sincere thanks to all the participants, and Erika Garcia, Licet Gomez, and Ashley Omo 
Vanessa, Elena and Denise.

WORK & PROCESS

Making Art Making Change is a non-profit charity committed to giving voice to individuals in a group setting within communities through the use of visual arts.

Our experienced artist educators are committed to creating a safe space and engaging projects where participants can explore artistic expression while developing self-awareness, collaboration skills and original creative thinking. Our focus is to facilitate dialogue and collaboration, thereby strengthening community bonds and reducing isolation.

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