Where The Children Play

45’-0” x 7’-0”

Exterior Paint on Wall

London, Ontario

June 13, 2015

12:30 – 5:00pm

Jim Kogelheide

with

many, many helpers

It’s interesting to think that this huge wall mural – that was painted in less than five hours – began more than seven years ago…

In 2007 – with thanks to the Ontario Arts Council – I began my most ambitious ‘Art For Earth’ children’s environmental art workshops, ever.  I had created over 20 large canvas paintings with the help of many hundreds of students over the course of seven months.  One of these art workshops introduced me to a teacher named Maria!

 

Last summer, I received an unexpected letter from Maria.  As well as being a teacher, she also helped out with a the Western Day Care Centre.  The WDCC was starting to plan for an upcoming fundraising event and Maria wanted me to work with their group.  Of course, I said ‘Yes!’

We were hoping to put on this event in the autumn of 2014 but a few problems came up that delayed our efforts.  I was actually glad for this delay because I was quite busy promoting my ‘Mr. Jim For Mayor’ campaign and the election was only a few weeks away.

A couple of months ago, planning for this fundraising event began again.  This time, I was ready and focused with few distractions.

There were many other events being planned for this afternoon, including clowns, aboriginal dancers, a silent art auction, bake sale, etc. and Maria wanted a main attraction that would really ‘Wow!’ all the youngsters and parents.  I was to be that ‘Wow!’

Even though I had never painted such a large painting before, I only buckled under the pressure a few times during the planning stages.  HA!  Actually, I had many talks with people who knew a thing or two about the kinds of paints I would need and the equipment that would be necessary and the planning stage for this project moved steadily forward with much ease.

The day before this event, the skies grew dark and scattered showers blew over London but – thankfully – the day of the event remained rain free!

It was a lot of fun working with all of the young children who came by to help with the mural painting and I’m glad that one or two parents realized that this painting was large and that a few extra minutes of their time would be appreciated.

It was getting close to 3:30pm and there was still a lot of work to be done.  I smiled when a friend of mine arrived with two other friends of his own.  The event was wrapping up by 4:00pm and after the area was tidied up, many more hands dropped by to work on the mural.  Soon, the last colours were being painted and then… just shy of 5:00pm… the mural was declared “Finished!”

This mural was painted in the play area reserved for the youngest day care students and ‘Wow!’ won’t they be surprised by this colourful display when they go outside to play!!!

The title for this mural 'Where The Children Play' came about for two reasons.  The simplest reason has already been mentioned... this area of the day care is reserved for the youngest children and this is where they play.  The second reason is also a simple one...

Way back in 1970 - the year when I was born, interestingly enough - musician, Cat Stevens, wrote a song called 'Where Do The Children Play?'  This song is a folk/protest song that highlights many of humankinds grand achievements including building skyscrapers, jumbo planes and roads.  It also suggests that this new-found industrial power is harming our world, paving over landscapes, building higher and higher until 'there's no more room up there!'  If all of this development continues, Stevens tells us that there will be no more room for our children to play.

I find it fitting that these same questions and concerns have even more relevance in today's world - 45 years later - and it is my hope that by creating a symbol of our Earth in space, people will realize our responsibility to care for our planet and also realize that the Earth is where all children should be able to play.  The Earth is a gift to all of us and all of the world's creatures.  It is our playground!  Let's start to cherish it!

Jim Kogelheide

2015