By: Michael Bennett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Ridgetown Independent News
A beautiful mural by John Williams was unveiled at the Ridgetown Area Adult Activity Centre during its monthly luncheon on Friday, Jan. 16.
Williams, a renowned Ojibway artist from Aamjiwnaang First Nation near Sarnia, was commissioned by the Adult Centre to create a mural.
“We’re thrilled to have John here as our artist; he did a beautiful job,” said Brian Doidge, president of the Adult Centre, during the unveiling.
Williams’ mural symbolizes the region’s agricultural history.
His creation highlighted the area’s current agriculture while incorporating the past, including the ‘Three Sisters’ – corn, beans and squash – crops the First Nations people grew.
Williams also incorporated strawberries, which grow naturally in the area and are also important to First Nations’ people.
The painting is on display in the main foyer of the Adult Centre, which people will see as they enter the facility.
Along with his commissioned mural, Williams donated a second mural depicting local wildlife, which is displayed above the main desk.
Doidge said Adult Centre members were introduced to Williams and his tremendous talent after attending painting classes he conducted at Rondeau Provincial Park last spring.
“A couple of our members talked to John, and the idea came up to commission a couple of Indigenous murals and put them up in our foyer as a means of making sure we include everyone in the community in the Centre,” stated Doidge. “The Board wants to have an outreach to the community as we want to be as inclusive as we can be.”said Jill Schweitzer, a member of the Adult Centre, who made the initial contact with Williams.
“We loved working with John, developing a friendship, partnership and learning all about the teachings, and how he made (the mural) Chatham-Kent eccentric with the agriculture,” Schweitzer said. “I think he did a beautiful job.”
Schweitzer also pointed out that Williams has another beautiful mural on display at the Visitor’s Centre at Rondeau.
Financing for the mural came from the Chatham-Kent Councillor Ward Fund, as Mayor Darrin Canniff and all 17 councillors are allocated funds from the Community Support Agreement between the Municipality and Hydro One for investment in recreational and cultural assets.
“When we came up with the idea, we thought our two local councillors and mayor might be interested in funding because it is an inclusive community outreach,” Doidge said.
Ward 3 Councillors Morena McDonald and John Wright fully supported the idea, as did the mayor.
They provided funding for two Indigenous paintings, as another artist is currently creating a second mural, which is expected to be unveiled in the near future.
“It’s been a great experience working with the Centre,” McDonald said. “I really enjoy the ward funding program because it can go to tangible things like this mural that the entire community can enjoy.”
“We’re looking forward to the unveiling of the second works,” McDonald said.
The public is invited to visit the Adult Centre during regular hours to see Williams’ two beautiful paintings.
Williams is a self-taught Ojibway artist who followed his passion for creating art full-time after being laid off from his job of more than 16 years as a security guard at a local hospital.
He followed his heart and immersed himself in painting, reflecting his belief that art is a powerful way to share and preserve Indigenous stories as his works symbolize connection, healing and cultural pride.
Williams has been commissioned to produce murals for community centres, schools, hospitals and many other facilities across southwestern Ontario, including a large mural on a fuel storage tank at the Shell refinery in Sarnia, which neighbours Aamjiwnaang First Nation.
