Discovering the art exhibits of Missisauga’s Celebration Square by Sherene Almjawer
Life does imitate art but not always in the best ways. The large shipping container in Mississauga’s Celebration Square housing the Love Local Art Shop should’ve been bustling with admirers of Amee Raval’s glass art on Sunday, August 29. Instead, much like Edward Hopper’s painting “Nighthawks”, excited patrons were stuck peering at the myriad of beautiful glass works from outside the little art shop.
Two pieces caught the sunlight: circular mirrors decorated with colourful pieces of glass in the shapes of women’s heads, each one donning a differently styled headdress.
Little did we know, the power in both Mississauga’s Civic Centre and the art shop had gone out, locking everyone out of both buildings.
Luckily for us, Celebration Square is a haven for art. As part of the Mi Casa, Your Casa 2.0 installation—running from July 30 to September 6 by artists Esrawe and Cadena—Celebration Square is decorated in 14 red-frame houses inspired by the street markets of Latin America. Hanging from the top each frame are swings, letting visitors step into the home, watch the strip of bulbs at every house light up and swing under the warm summer sun.
Families, couples and children alike took turns immersing themselves in the little pieces of familiarity and homeliness, just as someone would in the lively streets of a Latin American market.
Fortunately, the Love Local Art Shop will feature a few more artists, every Friday to Sunday until September 5, giving art lovers one more chance to meet and support their favourite local artists before Celebration Square introduces a new set of exhibitions.
