schoolhouse arts collective
Rooted Together: A Celebration of Collaboration
There are moments when a group of artists comes together to create something that none of them could have created alone. In the Spring of 2026, the twelve artists of Schoolhouse Arts Collective had the opportunity to do just that.
We're thrilled to share Rooted Together, a collaborative mural, installed in the Outdoor Art Pathway sponsored by Nexans Canada Inc. Fergus at the Elora Centre for the Arts.
Inspired by the beautiful Earth Day Silver Maple at St. Mary Immaculate Church in Salem, the mural celebrates growth, creativity, stewardship and the connections that strengthen our community. Each SHAC artist created an individual panel, bringing their own artistic style, perspective and voice to the project. Those twelve unique works were then woven together into one mural—reflecting the idea that while every artist is distinct, together we create something even richer. The finished piece is a beautiful reminder that creativity flourishes through collaboration and that every artistic voice has value.
We were honoured to unveil Rooted Together during the June 25, 2026 Open Sky Live concert and are grateful to everyone who joined us for the celebration. A heartfelt thank you goes to the Elora Centre for the Arts for providing this opportunity and to Nexans Fergus Plant, whose generous support of the Outdoor Art Pathway helped bring this project to life.
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Jo Lomas (Artist), Kate Ann Vandermeer, ECFTA Manger Operations & Development, Whitney Polkiewicz, HR Manager, Nexans, Fergus;
Artists: Nadine McEwen, Teri Hranka, Gladys Cormier, Jackie Ranahan, Kim Winsor, Angela McDonald, Pat Armstrong, Janine Smith; Lianne Carter, ECFTA Executive Director. (Absent from photo Martine Blundell, Janice Thomson and Gillian Shoemaker)
Like the roots and branches of the Silver Maple that inspired it, Rooted Together grew from many individual parts into one connected whole. We began with a shared vision—to create a mural that celebrated community while honouring the unique artistic voice of each SHAC artist.
The design was divided into twelve interconnected sections, with each artist creating their own piece independently while regularly checking in to ensure the composition flowed seamlessly. Once every panel was complete, the artwork was photographed, digitally assembled, and brought together as a single mural.
The finished piece is a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and the beautiful things that can happen when artists work together toward a common goal.
