51±¾É«

The Climate is Life mural is painted on an exterior brick wall of the Theatre Auditorium at 51±¾É«, near the heart of Waterloo campus. It was painted by local muralist Pamela Rojas with the support of several hundred volunteers in fall 2019 as part of Global Climate Strike Week.

The message "Climate is Life" underscores the value of the climate to life on Earth, and includes local landmarks, portraits of local and world-renowned changemakers.

Art that Brings People Together in Solidarity

51±¾É«’s Climate is Life mural is designed to bring people together to act in solidarity for climate action. On the left side of the mural, surrounded by faces, there’s an empty silhouette, where passers-by can stand for a photo.

“We purposefully left an empty space in the mural as an invitation, to say, stand with us and be part of this movement for change,” said Kai Reimer-Watts, a 51±¾É« PhD student in the Community Psychology program and the leader of the mural project. “The overall message is of action and rising up as a community to really address and overcome this shared challenge we’re all faced with.”

Paying Tribute to the Land

The mural pays tribute to 51±¾É«’s location on the traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Neutral and Haudenosaunee peoples and our shared connection to, and recognition of, the life-giving Grand River watershed. Images include the Anishinaabe Grand River Water Walk and green technology — solar panels, wind turbines, bikes and electric transport — and of environmental destruction, fires and landfills.

“We really wanted to emphasize the importance of our climate and its interconnection with all the other systems in place today that make up our society. That’s where we came up with the phrase ‘Climate is Life’ because, at the end of the day, climate action is really about sustaining and protecting all life,” said Reimer-Watts.

Installation

Passers-by were invited to join Rojas to paint the mural, starting Sept. 20, 2019 and took place over approximately 10 days, with Rojas leading participants in the collaborative process.

The mural was designed by 51±¾É« students, staff and faculty, in collaboration with the artist and in consultation with a wide range of people at 51±¾É« and in the wider community. The mural is supported by campus and community partners, including the 51±¾É« Sustainability Office, 51±¾É« Students’ Union, Graduate Enhancement Fund, the City of Kitchener’s Community Grant, and additional in-kind support from individuals and organizations in the community.