Kenora, June 27, 2018 - Kenora's city center is going to be filled with the sound of music this summer thanks to The Piano Project. Students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School's Art Department recently partnered with Wolfe Sound and Music to bring art and music to the city's core; giving two old pianos a new lease on life. The visually stunning pianos are located in front of Quesada restaurant and the walkway between Golden Scissors and Scotia Bank leading down to Kenora's harbour front. The community pianos are available for all to step up and perform.
The inspiration for The Piano Project came from St. Thomas Aquinas High School alumnus Steven Wolfe. “The goal of the project is to encourage arts in the community and bring people together through music and visual arts. I'm excited for children, community members, visitors and summer residents to play the pianos, get involved and create music.”
The two upright pianos were painted by students in St. Thomas Aquinas High School's mural class. The students put the finishing touches on the pianos in the last week of school. “The students created virtual concepts using technology and then the vision was pulled together to create a Piet Mondrian and Woodlands inspired design,” explains George Brunton, Art Teacher. “The finished pianos came together quite well, with a bright and colourful palette making these reclaimed pianos visually sing with joy.”
“Personally, I absolutely love the finished pianos,” said Wolfe. “It has been great to partner with St. Thomas Aquinas High School on this project. This school has a reputation of embracing the power of art and music in and outside of the classroom and we have appreciated the enthusiasm and creative vision the students have brought to the project.”
Steven Wolfe and local contemporary folk musician, Reilly Scott performed on the pianos last evening with a video shared on Wolfe Sound and Music's social media. The pianos were placed on June 26th
and will remain at their locations throughout the summer.
Building materials for the shelters were donated from McMunn and Yates and the City of Kenora supported Wolfe Sound and Music in securing the locations for the pianos.
“We'd like to see the community embrace the project, posting pictures using the hashtag #thepianoprojectkenora,” said Wolfe. “If people tag @wolfesoundmusic, we will share their posts on our social media platforms to celebrate their contributions to the arts in Kenora.”
Steven Wolfe graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in 2017. He currently attends Western University in London where he's in year one of a six‐year Musical Education Degree program. He is the proprietor of Wolfe Sound and Music providing live sound reinforcement for concerts, DJ services for weddings and special events as well a music instruction.
|
|
|
|
The Piet Mondrian inspired piano is located in front of Quesada restaurant.
|
The Woodlands piano is located on the walkway leading to Kenora's harbour front, and is read to be played.
|
|
|
|
|
14 students were involved in designing and painting the pianos from St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
|
Finished pianos before they were placed in the city center.
|