Medium: Painted ceramic tiles

Credit(s): Whistler Secondary School art program students

Art ID: 141

Year: 2007

Peace Tiles

This project originated with a program called Wall Against Violence, originally proposed by local youth worker Greg McDonnell. That program was created to encourage youth to take a stand against violence.

Building on Greg McDonnell’s ideas and supported by municipal staff and Whistler Secondary School art teacher Brenda Norrie, the program evolved and eventually incorporated art.  Brenda Norrie created the opportunity for her students to become involved in the art project. The students were challenged to create art based on the theme of peace. The medium used was paint on tiles that were then fired. The students represented many versions of peace on the small tiles, including words, abstract images, the peace symbol and several 1960’s-era VW vans.

The municipality erected a roofed shelter to project the tiles, which have remained a vibrant addition to the well-travelled path between Whistler Village and Upper Village / Blackcomb.  Since the addition of the tiles, this part of Fitzsimmons Creek / Rebagliati Park has been informally known as Peace Park.

Public art nearby:

142 Full Circle mural east along the trail to the Blackcomb Way bridge underpass