Whitby Mural: Celebrating French and Multilingualism

On the wall of an African food store in downtown Whitby, plants, colours, and symbols now tell the story of a community where multiple languages and traditions come together.

Over five days, 24 students from École secondaire Donald A. Wilson worked with Franco-Ontarian and mural artist Mique Michelle to design and paint this permanent outdoor artwork. Together, they explored the connections between French, multilingualism, food, and the cultural journeys that shape their region.

Situated in a thriving neighbourhood, the mural turned French into a language of creation, collaboration, and connection. Even before the artwork was completed, conversations with local residents had already transformed the project into a community experience.

Ingredients That Tell the Community’s Story

The mural is located on the wall of Alayo Foods, an African food and products store at 104 Colborne Street East in downtown Whitby. This setting naturally inspired the use of plants, recipes and ingredients that travel from one country to another before finding a new place within local cultures.

This idea of movement also shaped the reflection on languages and identities. In Whitby, French exists alongside many cultural backgrounds and, together with them, helps shape the community.

The composition features fiddleheads, sea buckthorn, ginger, hibiscus leaves, spruce shoots, blackberries, sorrel, milkweed and a honeycomb. A barn swallow and a trumpet flower create a connection to Nigeria, while the trillium recalls Ontario’s Francophone community.

The greens and whites echo the Franco-Ontarian flag, the Nigerian flag and the colours of the Town of Whitby. Brought together in a single composition, these references illustrate a community where languages, traditions and people take root together.

When French Finds Its Place in the City

For five days, French moved beyond the classroom and into conversations, onto paintbrushes, and onto a wall in downtown Whitby. Students used it to imagine, make artistic choices, and collaborate with Mique Michelle on a work destined to remain in the neighbourhood.

As the colours began to appear, passersby stopped to observe, ask questions, and encourage the group. Some spontaneously spoke French with the students, pleased to see their language represented in the public space. Many young people discovered a vibrant Francophone presence around them, extending beyond their school experience.

Nearby businesses provided water, access to their facilities, and various forms of support. Some people even returned to follow the mural’s progress and expressed a desire to help protect it. Before it was finished, the artwork had already become part of the community.

From Idea to Collective Creation

Before painting began, artist Mique Michelle invited students to reflect on the languages present in their daily lives, migration, food, and cultural identities. Their ideas then informed the mural’s drawings, colours, and symbols.

She introduced them to the techniques of mural art, from preparing the wall to working on a large scale. Cleaning the surface, applying the base coat, selecting brushes, and coordinating different parts of the image were all part of the same learning experience: transforming a collective reflection into a public artwork.

Rain, nearby construction, and occasionally blocked access points required the group to adapt. Day by day, the students’ ideas took shape on the wall until they became a lasting presence in the heart of Whitby.