Queen’s Bush Settlement Graffiti Mural

Save the Date for the Mural Reveal Event: Saturday, August 15, 2025

Earthscape Play, 7215 Wellington Rd 86, Wallenstein, ON N0B 2S0

Introducing Our Artist

DRPN SOUL aka Kalkidan Assefa (b. 1982, Addis Abeba) is an Ethiopian-born artist, muralist, and art-based educator whose work bridges street culture, public art, and visual storytelling. With a background in Fine Arts and roots in the grassroots hip hop community dating back to the late 90’s, he has built a professional practice over the past 15 years crafting impactful, public-facing artwork that engages diverse communities through a collaborative approach.

For more info, please visit www.drippinsoul.com or IG @drippin_soul

About the Project

HOPE (Hearts Open for Everyone), in partnership with Earthscape and the Queen’s Bush Settlement (QBS) Mural Advisory Committee, is currently in the shortlisted phase of the artist selection process for a public mural project celebrating the Queen’s Bush Settlement, one of Ontario’s earliest Black communities.

The mural will serve as both a cultural landmark and an educational tool, highlighting the resilience, achievements, and legacy of QBS settlers and their descendants. The design will incorporate authentic stories, symbols, and experiences, informed by consultation with local historians, descendants, and community members.

Organizations: Earthscape & HOPE (Hearts Open for Everyone)

Mural Location: Earthscape Play, 7215 Wellington Rd 86, Wallenstein, ON N0B 2S0

Medium: Spray paint/graffiti on steel container-style buildings

Project Timeline

  • January – March 2026: Selected artist develops mural concept and finalizes design
  • March – June 2026: Mural design and execution on the building surface
  • August 2026: Public unveiling and celebration

Site & Accessibility

  • The mural will be spray-painted on a large metal building at Earthscape Play (7215 Wellington Rd 86, Wallenstein, ON), which wraps from the front to the right side, allowing it to be viewed clearly from the street as you enter Wallenstein.
  • An interpretive bench will be installed in front of the mural, providing a space for visitors to sit and reflect on the history of the Queen’s Bush Settlement.
  • Parking will be available adjacent to the mural for easy access.
  • The mural area features accessible pathways and is wheelchair-friendly, ensuring inclusive participation.
  • Portable, accessible washrooms will be provided on-site for the mural reveal event to ensure visitor convenience.

Site Images

STREET VIEW OF MURAL
LAYOUT AND MURAL SURFACE AREA (HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW)

QBS Mural Advisory Committee

  • AmyBeth Brubacher, Community Advisor, with expertise in Mennonite Heritage
  • Terre Chartrand, Indigenous Interdisciplinary Artist, Cultural Leader, and Youth Mentor
  • Tracy Johnson, Vocal Artist, Educator, and Cultural Storyteller, fifth-generation Black Canadian with ancestral roots in Queen’s Bush Settlement
  • Geoff Martin, Writer and Editor with Mennonite family connections to the mural site in the Queen’s Bush Settlement
  • Peggy Plet, Historian, Community Researcher, third-generation African-Canadian descendant
  • Karen Smart, Researcher, Mapleton Historical Society

Contact

QBS Mural Advisory Committee
Email: info@heartsopenforeveryone.ca

Youth Ambassadors

We are excited to be working with two Queen’s Bush Settlement Youth Ambassadors who are actively helping bring this project to life. Throughout the project, they will support marketing and promotional efforts, help catalogue and organize historical information, develop creative content, and participate in key stages of the artist selection process and mural design development. Their involvement ensures that youth voices, learning, and leadership are meaningfully woven into every phase of the project.

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