Transformative Power of Public Art
Monica Loney
Barrie
Monica’s project was a community-driven mural project that invited participants with lived experience of homelessness and addiction to take up space, build connection, and challenge stigma through the power of public art.
A Year of Creative Connection
The Transformative Power of Public Art grew from Monica Loney’s belief that community is the heart of a city and that art can connect us all. As a Métis visual artist deeply rooted in Barrie’s public art scene, she envisioned a project that would use creativity to unite and empower the community. Her goal was to break down barriers and reduce stigma surrounding individuals with lived experience of being unhoused and/or living with addictions. By involving participants in every stage of planning and painting a mural, the project encouraged them to take up space, build relationships, and share their stories.
Barrie’s housing crisis served as an urgent backdrop. With increasing encampments and the Mayor’s recent declaration of a state of emergency, Monica had seen firsthand how negative behaviours and harmful judgments toward these individuals were growing. She believed that without empathy and care, the community risked deepening isolation, violence, and cycles of drug use. Having seen the positive impact that murals can have in previous work, she wanted to create a project in which those most affected could lead, contribute, and build transferable skills that countered the stigma placed on them.
If you give people a chance, they will step up. And all it takes is just one person to give that chance.
From the beginning, the project drew praise, curiosity, and doubt. Many business owners were hesitant to donate a wall, unsure of who the project would “draw in” or whether the final product would meet expectations. Working with individuals living in survival mode also required patience, compassion, and flexibility. Participants did not always have stable housing or a phone, making communication challenging. Monica adapted by designating one participant as the point of contact and relying on support from a program coordinator at a partnering nonprofit, who visited the mural site daily to conduct trauma-informed check-ins.
Despite early barriers, what unfolded was a testament to perseverance and humanity. Monica found a business owner who believed in the project and offered a welcoming workspace for participants. Community members shared stories of the barriers they had faced and expressed gratitude for being included. A nonprofit partner provided participant access and space for interviews and meetings. Community organizations, such as the Rotary Club of Barrie and the Kiwanis Club of Barrie, stepped forward with additional funding and a desire to support future iterations.
The mural became more than a creative process; it revealed the community’s capacity for empathy, teamwork, and growth. Monica learned that beneath clouded judgments, there are people ready to work together toward shared values. She also learned that while it can feel like you are fighting alone, your people will find you if you keep pushing forward.
Her leadership evolved alongside the project. Passion-driven and naturally take-charge, Monica allowed her commitment to guide her through doubt and preconceived assumptions. The project demonstrated that even one initiative can spark change. She witnessed people around her trying new things, embracing the risk of failure, and pursuing possibilities they once dismissed. The experience also opened new doors for Monica, including ongoing opportunities with the City of Barrie to facilitate public art pop-ups and share her journey with others.
Looking ahead, Monica hopes to partner with additional marginalized groups to create inclusive spaces in the public art world. Her ideal future community is one of collaboration and joy. This community is a safer space where neighbours engage positively with one another, and creative expression is accessible.
My ideal community is vibrant, not only with colour but also energetically. It feels welcoming for all and encourage growth and innovation. People smile when you pass them on the street and no one is left feeling dismissed.
About Monica Loney
A visual Métis artist from Barrie who believes community is the heart of a city and art plays a role in connecting us all. Monica is no stranger to public art and working a scissor lift. You can find her advocating for public art through guided tours and through her large-scale pieces and installations across Simcoe County. She is the recipient of the 2022 Emerging Artist Award from the City of Barrie and continues to showcase the powerful benefits of art within the community.
Instagram: @beautifully.monica
#powerofpublicart #communitybuilding #expressnotsupress