A series of art installations have begun popping up along the Silvercreek and Eramosa River trails.
#GuelphMoves me is a new exhibit by the City’s 2019 artist in residence, Mallory Tolcher.
The project began with a call from the artist for photos of people being physically active. Those submissions were edited down and the 12 selected were transformed into hand-drawn graphite portraits by Tolcher.
A pamphlet for the project is available at City Hall and features quotes by the people who sent in photos, including personal trainers Ian and Lauryn Conlon, who are small business owners and personal trainers.
An installation with their portraits is located on a trail near Edinburgh Road South, across the river from the Silvercreek Skatepark.
“We love to go all around Guelph and hope to go all over the world, with out movement practice following us wherever we go,” said the caption to their photo.
A portrait of Brennan Powers in her baseball uniform and blowing a bubble with gum is located on a trail not far from the steps of the covered bridge, close to York Road.
“I love to go for long walks in my neighbourhood or on one of Guelph’s beautiful walking trails,” said Powers in the caption to her photo. “For me, being active is best enjoyed with friends.”
The outdoor exhibition is intended to promote physical fitness on Guelph’s trails.
The first six portraits were unveiled on Sept. 3, with the remaining six will appear on Sept. 16.
Tolcher will lead an artist walk on Sept. 29 during Culture Days weekend. The walk will begin at McCrae House at 1 p.m.
Physical fitness is a common theme in Tolcher’s work as an artist. She is also responsible for Canada’s largest sports court mural, which is located in Palmerston, Ont.
