Canatara Park Lifeguard Station Mural
Canatara Park Lifeguard Station Mural
In May of 2025, we set out to transform the Canatara Park Lifeguard Station into a landmark piece of public art.
The building, which sits at the heart of one of Sarnia’s most beloved waterfront destinations, was identified as an ideal canvas for creative placemaking—a way to turn a utilitarian structure into a welcoming and memorable feature for residents and visitors alike.
From the beginning, this project was designed to be community-led. Through Speak Up Sarnia, residents were invited to help choose the mural design that would best represent the spirit of Canatara Park. The process drew strong participation, ensuring the finished piece reflects local voices, creativity, and pride.
After a public vote, the community selected a mural by local artist, Emily Wright. Her design will soon cover the lifeguard station, creating a striking visual marker on the beach and a new point of pride in Sarnia.
To bring this vision to life, we are partnering with Nicole Buchholz of Sol Raya Public Spaces, who will join us in Sarnia in the Spring of 2026. Nicole is an accomplished urban planner and muralist who specializes in public space activation, with a portfolio of large-scale community projects across Philadelphia and Baltimore. This is a rare opportunity for our team to work alongside an international artist whose practice has transformed neighbourhoods and brought communities together.
Her guidance will not only ensure a successful mural installation but also help nuSarnia build local capacity for future projects. By learning from Nicole’s approach, we can continue expanding the opportunities for public art and placemaking in Sarnia.
Meet Nicole Buchholz of Sol Raya Public Spaces
Nicole is passionate about creating beautiful and welcoming spaces for communities. She has co-led and designed neighbourhood pool transformations in Philadelphia and Baltimore, and designed and painted several murals in the South Baltimore area. She has spoken about public engagement and co-design at Project for Public Spaces and City Parks Alliance’s annual conferences.
Mural Design
The chosen design for the Canatara Park Lifeguard Station mural was created by Emily Wright, a local artist whose work is rooted in colour, movement, and storytelling. Emily drew inspiration from the natural beauty of Canatara Park and beach, incorporating a sunset over the shoreline and native flowers such as black-eyed Susans, prairie smoke, wild geraniums, and blue phlox. These elements celebrate the park’s unique biodiversity while paying tribute to the legacy of Maud Hanna, whose contributions helped preserve the space for generations to enjoy.
The mural will be installed in the Spring of 2026, transforming the lifeguard station into a striking community landmark and a celebration of the stories, people, and natural beauty that connect Sarnia to its waterfront.
I am paying homage to Hanna and what she has done for the enjoyment of the community through preserving nature’s beauty with her donation of both monetary value and time. In my opinion, the beauty of nature speaks for itself brilliantly through vibrant colours, and I wanted that to come through in my design for the Canatara Lifeguard Station.
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