Saugeen Shores Celebrates Community Art Installations in Port Elgin and Southampton

The Town of Saugeen Shores is proud to celebrate several recently unveiled community art installations in both Port Elgin and Southampton. These new public art pieces reflect Saugeen Shores’ strong commitment to placemaking, cultural development, and downtown enhancement.

“We’re thrilled to be bringing more public art to both Port Elgin and Southampton,” said Mayor Luke Charbonneau. “These murals reflect a collaborative effort to tell our stories, honour our land, and create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.”

The installations unveiled to date include:

"Great Blue Heron" – Hand-painted in the alley of Rosina Restaurant at 698 Goderich Street, Port Elgin, this striking mural was created by Port Elgin local artist Emilie Darlington. Her bold use of vibrant colours brings the grace and strength of the heron to life, capturing the spirit of Saugeen Shores’ natural beauty.

"Pollinator Paradise" – Located in the alley of 613 Goderich Street, Port Elgin, this 8-foot high by 16-foot-wide digital mural by Emilie Darlington celebrates the vital role of pollinators in our ecosystem. Designed digitally, printed on vinyl, and installed on panels, the piece radiates colour and environmental awareness.

"The Land That Raised Us" – Installed on the Bell utility building at the corner of Highway 21 Lansdowne Street in Southampton, this 12-foot high by 32-foot-long mural was created by Emily Kewageshig and Taylor Cameron, artists from Saugeen First Nation #29. The artwork honours the ancestral territory of the Saugeen Ojibwe and invites reflection on our connections and shared responsibility to care for the land.

The community is invited to join the artists of “The Land That Raised Us” at a “Celebration of Artwork” event for the powerful new art installation on Wednesday, September 17 at 11 a.m. in front of the Bell Utility Building (Corner of Highway 21 and Lansdowne St, Southampton).

These art installations are the result of close collaboration between the Town of Saugeen Shores, the Southampton BIA, and the Downtown Port Elgin BIA, with invaluable support from local property owners who have graciously offered space on their commercial buildings to showcase these murals.

Identified as a strategic action in both the Town’s Community Toolkits and Destination Development Plan, community art plays a vital role in revitalizing public spaces, strengthening local identity, and bringing people together through creative expression. More community art installations are planned in the months ahead as Saugeen Shores continues to prioritize creative placemaking throughout the municipality.

Implementation of the Destination Development Plan and support for the Business Improvement Areas are identified as Planning and Development Division Highlights in the Saugeen Shores 2025 Business Plan (pg. 62).

About the Artists

Each installation features the work of talented local and Indigenous artists whose creative visions reflect the essence of our shared spaces.

• Emilie Darlington (@artworkbyemilie) – A Port Elgin native and graduate of the University of Ottawa’s Bachelor of Fine Arts program, Emilie’s murals can be found across Canada. Her ability to blend detail with scale and colour creates immersive works that transform spaces into experiences.
• Emily Kewageshig (@emilykewageshig | www.emily-kewageshig.com) – An Anishnaabe visual storyteller from Saugeen First Nation, Emily uses traditional and contemporary mediums to explore the interconnectedness of all life, bringing Indigenous knowledge and culture to public art, exhibitions, and children’s literature.
• Taylor Cameron (@neowoodland) – An Ojibwe artist from Saugeen First Nation No. 29, Taylor’s vivid interpretations of nature and Anishinaabe life infuse his work with a dynamic energy and spiritual perspective.