Queen’s Bush Settlement Graffiti Mural

Save the Date for the Mural Reveal Event: Saturday, August 15, 2026

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

Community Input – Workshop Recap

Photography by: Taijasa Jordan

In the News

CBC – ‘Make history visible’: Mural to honour Black community of Queen’s Bush Settlement

Observer – Mural to commemorate Queen’s Bush history

Ontario Heritage Trust – The Queen’s Bush Settlement, 1820-1867

The Narwhal – Bogs, bugs, freedom and loss: walking alongside Ontario’s early Black settlers

The Caribbean Camera – Mural Project Revives Queen’s Bush Black History

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 excited to move forward with this public mural project honouring one of Ontario’s earliest Black communities. With our artist now commissioned, we’re entering an inspiring next phase of bringing this story to life.

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

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), wrapping from the front to the right side, so it is clearly visible 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

Featured Historical Exhibits

As part of Mural Reveal Event on August 15th, guests will have the opportunity to explore two compelling travelling exhibits by historian and researcher Peggy Plet that illuminate the experiences and contributions of early Black settlers in Waterloo Region and their enduring connections to the Queen’s Bush Settlement.

Black Settlers in Waterloo Region highlights the lives and lasting contributions of Black residents whose stories have helped shape the region’s history. Featuring educators, entrepreneurs, skilled workers, domestic workers, and community builders, including individuals with connections to the Queen’s Bush Settlement, the exhibit demonstrates that Black history is deeply woven into the fabric of Waterloo Region. Their perseverance, achievements, and community leadership continue to leave an enduring legacy.

Seeking Home: The Story of Early Black Settler Levi Carroll traces the remarkable journey of Levi Carroll, who was born into slavery in Maryland (USA) around 1805. Visitors will follow his courageous 2,000-kilometre journey to freedom, learning how he and his family escaped slavery with the assistance of the Underground Railroad before eventually settling in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario. The exhibit also explores Carroll’s ties to the Queen’s Bush Settlement through his second wife and extended family, revealing the interconnected stories of Black pioneer families across the region. Through historical research, photographs, and engaging storytelling, the exhibit offers a deeply personal look at one man’s search for freedom, belonging, and a new life in Canada.

While You’re In Town…

While your journey begins at the mural, the Elmira and Wallenstein area features a diverse selection of local points of interest, dining, and seasonal activities. Be sure to plan extra time in your itinerary to immerse yourself in our local heritage and explore these remarkable neighboring communities!

Learn more:
Lions Ring Trail
Rural Roots Brewing Company
Kate’s Place Accessible Playground
MCC Thrift and Gift
Living Waters Book and Toy Store
Local Renaissance Coffee Shop
Yatton Home Baking
Elmira Farmer’s Market
Kitchen Kuttings
Shuh Orchards
Never Enough Thyme
Bonnie Lou’s Cafe

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, a third‑generation descendant of a family impacted by slavery with ancestral roots in Suriname, South America
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.