Community Mural Project

Painting Poppies in Kemptville: A Community Mural Story

Sometimes a project lands in your lap at exactly the right moment, like a little nudge from the universe saying, Yes—this is yours. That’s how the Kemptville poppy mural began. I approached the Kemptville BIA with a simple idea: a bright, bold poppy installation to honour veterans and bring the community together. But the moment the words left my mouth, another idea bloomed—What if the community helped paint it? What if this wasn’t just art on a wall, but art made by many hands?

They loved it. I loved it. And suddenly, we were off.

Building a Background Together

The background—the sweeping reds and oranges that sit behind the poppies—was painted with the help of Sparks/Embers, local kids full of energy and curiosity; participants from Grenville Community Living, who approached the project with so much joy; and several generous business owners who grabbed a brush and jumped right in.

There’s something magical about watching people who don’t consider themselves artists light up as they help create a public piece. It’s like they realize in real time: Oh… this belongs to me too. That’s my favourite part.

The Joy of a Jigsaw and a Driveway Studio

Once the base was finished, it was time for the poppies themselves. If you know me, you know I love my jigsaw maybe more than any reasonable person should. Cutting out dozens of poppies became its own meditative little ritual—shape after shape, petal after petal, imagining how they would dance across the finished mural.

The final painting stage was supposed to happen on the Splatter Bus… except the Splatter Bus currently has one small problem: it can’t drive. 😂

So, in true Sarah fashion, I pivoted. The bus became a driveway studio. I threw open the doors, pulled out my paints, and finished the last half of the mural there, tucked between tall panels, cold air, and a whole lot of determination. Honestly? It felt perfect. Art adapts. Artists adapt. And the bus—well, she’s used to a little chaos.

Installation Day & Gratitude

We mounted the mural on the Royal LePage building, and I want to take a moment to thank them deeply for giving these poppies a home. Their support made this whole project possible.

And speaking of support—it truly took a village. So many people helped make this mural happen: community participants, local businesses, and then, as always, my people. Chris, Adam, and PJ all showed up in ways big and small, from physical labour to moral support to “Hey, let’s problem-solve this together at 9pm,” which seems to be our unofficial group motto.

Colour, Connection, and What’s Next

I love murals. I love bright colour, big gestures, and art that interrupts your day in the best possible way. And this mural—this community-woven tapestry of poppies—feels like a perfect intersection of everything I value: collaboration, beauty, storytelling, and honouring those who’ve served.

We’ve even been talking about creating interchangeable motifs for next year, allowing the community to come together again in a new way. Imagine seasonal pieces, rotating artwork, shifting stories… Kemptville deserves art that evolves with the people who live there.

For the Veterans

Finally, and most importantly: thank you to our veterans. This mural is for you—bright, bold, and standing tall in the heart of Kemptville. May every poppy remind us of sacrifice, of service, and of the ongoing need to honour and care for those who’ve given so much.