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By Carrie Debrone
Kitchener Citizen
January 14, 2016

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Ever wanted to colour your neighbourhood?

To build awareness and excitement about Kitchener’s first-ever neighbourhood strategy, the City of Kitchener will soon be publishing an adult colouring book called “Colour my ‘hood.”

The city has hired three local artists to design two pages each of black and white colouring outlines, to create a six-page colouring book.

“Colouring is all the rage these days. Our book will not only be fun but will also inspire people’s imaginations and spark creative ideas for making our neighbourhoods even better,” shares Darren Kropf, Neighbourhood Strategy Engagement Associate for the City of Kitchener.

The city received applications from 16 local artists who wanted to design the pages.

“All the applications were very strong so it was difficult to choose the three artists,” said Kropf.

The three local artists chosen are Catherine Brennan, Lori Zenker and Julian van Mossel-Forrester.

Brennan, a Kitchener artist, specializes in pen and ink drawings, watercolour and linocuts. Much of her work, which includes crisp, intricate black line work, focuses on patterns in nature. Brennan proposed that two of the colouring book pages depict a neighbourhood mosaic including elements in Kitchener communities such as community gardens and Little Libraries. The pages would also include a narrative explaining the elements.

Artist Lori Zenker of Elmira was also chosen. She provided a sample of a full colouring book that she designed with her daughter. Zenker uses a detailed cartoon-like style. She has designed greeting cards, illustrated children’s books and completed artwork for stores. She suggested the colouring book include a city street scene with houses and a park full of people participating in neighbourhood activities.

The third artist, Julian van Mossel-Forrester of Kitchener, is a freelance artist and graphic designer who currently works as a community and marketing specialist. He suggested the book include pages depicting specific community events such as a ‘lantern walk’ through a natural area.

“We are very pleased that all the artists suggested different but complementary ideas for the book,” Kropf said.

The colouring books will debut Wednesday, March 9 from 7-9 p.m. at a special event called “Beer + Colour my ‘hood” at THEMUSEUM. Tickets are now available and cost $25 which includes one pack of pencil crayons, one Colour my ‘hood colouring book, one pint from Block Three Brewing, and admittance to THEMUSEUM.

The colouring books will also be available March 12 at the Kitchener Market, and later at community centres and future neighbourhood strategy engagement events.

Neighbourhood, cultural or social groups can also order books (depending on the amount requested).

In the spring of 2016, the city will lead one of the largest and most inclusive community engagement projects in the city’s history as it develops its new neighbourhood strategy.

For more information about ordering or sponsoring the printing of the Colour my ‘hood colouring books, contact Darren Kropf at the city or visit www.kitchener.ca/NeighbourhoodStrategy
Artists selected to create adult colouring book with a neighbourhood theme