By Alicia Sealey

Photo credit: Garcia Creative Media Inc

The Jamaica Canadian Association (JCA) unveiled two new murals on its building at 995 Arrow Road, Toronto in July 2024, adding to the growing trend of large-scale, culturally significant artwork throughout the city. These murals, one on the front and a larger one on the back of the building, celebrate the rich heritage and future of the Jamaican-Canadian community.

The front mural features the shape of Jamaica in green, bordered by the yellow and black colors from the Jamaican flag. Superimposed on the island’s image is a reimagined coat of arms, unique to the JCA, accompanied by the tagline, “The Hub of Community Engagement.”

The larger mural, titled “Forward Ever, Backwards Never,” spans the entire back wall of the building. This vibrant artwork, inspired by the late reggae singer Jacob Miller’s song promoting culture and love, embraces an ‘Astro-yardie’ approach. The mural offers a futuristic interpretation of Jamaica’s cultural influence, reflecting the innovative and symbolic vision of Quentin VerCetty, founder and director of AstroSankofa Arts Initiative.

“As a proud Jamaican, I am honored to have worked with the JCA to bring these murals to life,” said VerCetty. “This project allowed me to give back to the JCA, which supported my post-secondary education. The murals celebrate Jamaican-Canadians and their culture in a dynamic and unconventional way.”

Founded in 1962, the JCA has been a cornerstone of the Jamaican, Caribbean, and African-Canadian communities within the Greater Toronto Area, providing programs, services, and advocacy to enhance well-being and equity.

AstroSankofa Arts Initiative, known for its heritage projects across Canada, including a five-year contract with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), continues to highlight Black historical figures in Toronto and Ontario. Their next major project, a mural celebrating Carnival, is set to be completed in September 2024 at Bathurst and Bloor.

For more information about the JCA and its initiatives, visit JCA’s official website. To learn more about AstroSankofa Arts Initiative, visit AstroSankofa’s official website.