Students at Ogden Jr. School Create Awesome Streetcar Art

200806025_ogden.jpgToday was the last day of school before summer break for students at Ogden Junior Public School, and prior to handing out achievement awards to deserving students, a very special ceremony took place.

Attended by special guests TTC Chair Adam Giambrone, and Trinity-Spadina MP Olivia Chow, talented and only slightly camera-shy students took to the microphone (under the flashes of photographers and the close attention of CityTV and Global video news crews). Principal Madelaine Allan and Vice Principal Rob Hochberg, along with the other teachers and students, looked on with pride.

Under the guidance of grade 4/5 teacher Mark Shouldice and librarian Jennifer Nelson (and with a little help from New York-based graphic designer Joe Shouldice) students painted and assembled smaller component pieces to form a large mural in the image of the Canadian Light Rail Vehicle - the iconic TTC streetcar.

200806025_ogden2.jpgBoth Chow and Giambrone thanked the students for the precious gift, and spoke briefly about the ongoing importance of public transit, and of the role that art plays in the community.

The lovely black and white, collage-like mural, which measures approximately 8x10-feet in dimensions, is scheduled to be displayed to the public in all its glory at Spadina station in September. The inclusion of new works of art in TTC subway stations is an ongoing effort, and it's both endearing and encouraging to see the works of young transit riders included in the plans.

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That looks AWESOME! Go, students at Odgen Jr!

Posted by: Gloria at June 25, 2008 3:10 PM

^^^^ I completely agree!

This is what the TTC needs more of :) Great community artwork (that's free!). I would take this and make it a permanent display (plus it wouldn't hurt to have it displayed electronically elsewhere in the system - similar to the way photos by David Topping are being displayed)

Great job by these kids and teachers.

Posted by: Dave at June 25, 2008 3:22 PM

this is exceptional work! Go TO!

Posted by: sillylizard at June 25, 2008 3:36 PM

Let's hope this begins a wave of school student artworks being shown in public places. That way we can share in their
community as well and they'll have the pride of public recognition.

Posted by: David Toronto at June 25, 2008 3:47 PM

And it was based on one of Jerrold's photographs.

Posted by: Marc Lostracco at June 25, 2008 4:32 PM

It's gorgeous...I'm excited, though Spadina has a lot of art already. Bathurst could probably use it more.

Posted by: Robin Sharp at June 25, 2008 4:32 PM

nice to see stuff like this happening in the schools.

Posted by: Ted West at June 25, 2008 4:47 PM

It was based on this photograph, but all the credit has to go to the staff and students at Ogden for the idea and the execution of this project. I'm totally humbled and extremely impressed by their efforts!

Posted by: Jerrold at June 25, 2008 4:53 PM

I wonder if this photo op was set up to give Adam some exposure in Trinity-Spadina. There are a lot of rumours that he's going to run for the leadership of the ONDP and he would run in the NDP safe seat of TS.

Posted by: King Street guy at June 26, 2008 4:57 PM

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