Chippewa Park’s historic carousel has undergone a creative makeover with new artwork adorning its rounding boards, thanks to the collaborative efforts of students and staff at Superior Collegiate and Vocational Institute (CVI) in Thunder Bay. The updated designs showcase iconic scenes from Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario.
Artist Faith Whatley, a visual arts student at Lakehead University, felt initially overwhelmed by the project due to the carousel’s historical significance. She contributed an image of Quetico Park to the artwork, reminiscing about her childhood experiences on the carousel.
The initiative stemmed from a partnership between the Friends of Chippewa Park group and Superior CVI, with the school’s art department head, Keith Ailey, overseeing the project. The team brainstormed iconic images that would replace the carousel’s outdated wooden castles, opting for Thunder Bay landmarks such as the Sleeping Giant, the Terry Fox monument, Silver Islet Store, Kakabeka Falls, and Mount McKay.
One of the artists, Anna McPherson, a Superior CVI graduate and current Lakehead student, faced challenges working with the fast-drying 1 Shot paint typically used for outdoor signs. Despite the limitations in color selection, McPherson persevered through trial and error to achieve a stunning sunset scene of Mount McKay.
Ailey praised the artists’ skill in blending colors with the challenging paint, highlighting the impressive results achieved. The painting process was primarily handled by art teachers due to the paint’s difficulty, with students providing input on color and composition.
The restoration project faced strict guidelines due to the carousel’s historical significance, requiring approval from heritage advisory committees. Iain Angus, project manager of the Friends of Chippewa Park’s Carousel Restoration Committee, emphasized the meticulous process involved in ensuring the authenticity and quality of the artwork.
The revitalized rounding boards will be showcased at various city events throughout winter before being reinstalled on the carousel next summer. Angus expressed satisfaction with the final outcomes, describing the new artwork as “amazing.”