Dunbarton HS Unveils Indigenous and Black History Artwork

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is dedicated to creating equitable, diverse and inclusive environments for all students and

staff.

On Wednesday, September 9, 2021 Dunbarton High School unveiled two recently installed murals in the school library.  As part of

Dunbarton High School’s Library Renovation project community artists were contacted to create murals allowing students to see

themselves reflected on the walls of their school.

Community artists Jon Colwell and Jeffery Laine unveiled their work to be displayed in the school library for students and staff.

Colwell’s Indigenous mural and Laine’s Black History mural will be shared with students and staff starting September 9 at the start

of school.

Both artists are DDSB alumni from Port Perry High School and are delighted to be giving back to help bolster the cultural identities

of students in the school and a knowledge base for the school’s student body and staff.

Dunbarton High School is pleased students will now be able to see themselves reflected on the walls of their school and want the

entire community to share in the Black and Indigenous representation in the arts featured in our school library.

Quotes

“Some of these figures are poignant to me but also throughout history.  I wanted to make sure they were seen and heard. Hopefully

not only Black students, but all students can come and feel a sense of pride when they look up and see these figures,” Jeffery Laine,

Black History mural community artist

“I am hopeful that these pieces will be a teaching opportunity. We are all unique and we all have a unique path. Not everyone’s route

to “success” or their personal growth journey is the same. I am hoping the artworks can create conversations that have in the past

been glossed over. I would like it to help someone realize it is okay to be proud of who you are and your background no matter what

that may be,” Jon Colwell, Indigenous mural community artist

“With these murals I am excited that students are going to see themselves reflected on the walls of the school library which is an

inclusive space,” Karen Papadopoulos, Head of Library, Dunbarton High School

Source Community Durham Region