Street Banners

Since 2017, the Public Art Steering Committee has developed a design opportunity to showcase the artistic talent of our communities including local First Nations. Each year, the Committee works with community partners, stakeholders and staff to review and develop a theme and commissioning parameters pending availability of budget.

Gina Rubin – Green Ribbon

• Green Ribbon is inspired by Gold Creek, an iconic local landmark. The glacier-fed creek, rendered in vivid green tones, reflects the natural beauty and ecological importance of the waterways. Three rainbow trout move through the composition, symbolizing the diversity of life within the waters. Rooted in plein air practice, the work translates direct observation of light, colour, and atmosphere into a simplified, contemporary design.
• About the Artist: "As an oil and acrylic painter, I am deeply inspired by colour and the natural environment. Plein air painting plays an important role in my practice, allowing me to immerse myself in the landscape and respond directly to shifting light and atmosphere. My work translates lived experience into visual language through layered colour relationships and expressive mark making."
  GinaRubinArt.com/About

Mattie Stapler – Hidden in Green

• This piece explores the relationship between wildlife and the environment.  The deer, calm yet alert, symbolizes presence and awareness of the surrounding forest that represents both shelter and safety. The piece invites viewers to slow down and reflect on their connection to nature.
• About the Artist: "Art has always been a significant part of who I am — driving me, inspiring me, and giving me a way to inspire others. As I am about to begin post-secondary education and work toward a fulfilling career in the arts, I would love to create a piece that will be displayed for those beyond my classmates and teachers to see."

Lea O'Shea – I'm Watching You

• I'm Watching You captures a quiet moment with a great grey owl in Silver Valley. Struck by its stillness and intense gaze, the artist intentionally kept the composition simple to draw attention to that direct connection. Owls symbolize awareness, wisdom, and guidance, reflected in its quiet presence.
• About the Artist: "As a Maple Ridge-based photographer, I love getting outdoors and challenging myself to find new ways to look at the world around me. I've had an interest in photography since I was young, but really started focusing on my journey in 2014. I enjoy photographing everything from wildlife to flowers and landscapes, but I especially like trying creative techniques that make an image feel more like an impressionistic painting." OsheaPhotoArt.ca/

In a year of uncertainty, Maple Ridge partnered with local businesses and residents to bring forward our Choose Maple Ridge program and help our residents make a big difference by dining, shopping and playing locally. As part of this program, our street banners were revamped to showcase the experiences unique to Maple Ridge.

The 2024 banners were designed in collaboration with Joshua Carr, Kwantlen band member and with his partner, Amber Oliver, to acknowledge that the Kwantlen First Nation and Katzie First Nation have been here since time immemorial.

The banners were approved by Kwantlen First Nation and Katzie First Nation leadership and adorned over 200 banner stands in downtown Maple Ridge and throughout the community and were featured on the special events stage at community events throughout 2024.

"Our concept represents our deep connection to the river," shared artists Carr and Oliver. "Since time immemorial, our people have travelled and fished the Fraser River to create sustenance and abundance for our communities, as well as build relationships with one another. We wanted to create a design that embodied our traditions, as well as honours the relationship between Qw’ó:ltl'el, q̓ic̓əy̓ and the City of Maple Ridge. Our design uses the river as that connection, representing the bond between the people and the salmon and the harmony of the moon and the tides. We give thanks to all that the river has to offer us. hay ce:p q̓ə."

2022 (Re)connection 

Throughout the pandemic, people from across the world have been impacted by the lack of social connection with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. Social connections, in-person or virtual, help to uplift spirits improve physical health and encourage a stronger sense of belonging and purpose. Therefore, the theme for the 2022 Street Banner Design Call was (re)connection with the goal of celebrating and building new and old social connections. 

We encourage you to read about the stories and artists behind the pieces!

Uplift

Rain Pierre sɬə́məxʷ
Katzie Nation Artist

Rain is a full-time artist and business owner from Katzie Nation. He is the owner and founder of RainAwakens. In addition to Rain's professional artistic practice, Rain works with many students and adults through an interactive mural program that he developed called "Legacy Projects". Using his artwork he is also an advocate for the LGBTQ2s+ community, recovery community and the Indigenous community — empowering others to follow their true passions and dreams through motivational speaking.  Love is Rain's true backbone to awakening others to believe that they can truly be whatever they choose to be in this world.

"We are in a time of our evolution where we need to stand together.  Others may suffer more than most, and some might have more strength than others - we need to uplift others that can no longer take flight on their own.   With our mental health and physical health reaching limits, it is imperative we give helping hands to those in need.  Together is where we will thrive and together is where we can best share love.  The hummingbird is a representation of us taking flight wearing a headband to remind us of who we are, and where we come from. The universe on the belly of the hummingbird reminds us that we are significant in our own ways, but so powerful with what we carry as spiritual beings. The helping hand is uplifting us to reach higher levels of self.   I also did these hummingbirds for my parents.  They have both helped me so much in my life, always giving me a helping hand.  They both helped me find a pathway to recovery and stood by my side when I was in need.  Because of them, today I walk nearly 2 years clean and sober with the recovery family I have found.  I am sharing this story to hopefully inspire others to find their truest self through self-healing and self-love, with the help of others.  These two banners are an art piece as a dedication to our parents. The people that love us unconditionally and support us in times of need.”

Oma

Tammy Routley
Seriously Playful Art

"'Oma' is the German word for grandmother, but many people from other countries call their grandmother something similar. I propose something new: oma-cron instead of omicron. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the feeling of a grandmother's hug went viral? 

The image for this banner is an illustration of that warm and comforting experience - a sense of (re-)connecting, perhaps with a grandparent, or perhaps with our inner child playing outside, getting a hug from Mother Nature.

I studied Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo, majoring in painting and drawing, and continued with courses in art therapy  and children's book illustration.  Curvilinear designs with bold, black line are my way of connecting to my child-self who would sit and colour for hours."

Reconnect

Charlotte Johnson
Student at Yennadon Elementary

“I enjoy sports, like dance and soccer, and I love Maple Ridge, especially going to the pool. I decided to make this drawing because I love art, and even if I didn't win, it was a fun project. (Re)connection to me, means reconnecting to friends and family, being together and being kind to one another. I hope when people see my drawing, they think about the people they love and look forward to reconnecting with them."