The Town of Whitby is looking for young artists to help bring music and art to the waterfront this summer. Youth and emerging artists between the ages of 12 and 25 who live in Durham Region can apply to paint a street piano that will be placed at Rotary Sunrise Lake Park in Whitby, Ontario. This project gives young people a chance to showcase their talent in a busy public space along the Lake Ontario waterfront.
The theme for this year’s project is “Strong and Free,” a line taken from the national anthem, O Canada. Artists have until March 25, 2026, to submit their designs through the town’s Public Art Policy website. The finished piano will be ready for the community to play and enjoy during the summer months.
Once finished, the piano will be located at the park at 269 Water Street, which includes walking trails, picnic areas, a playground, and a lighthouse pier. This is the second year for the street piano program. It follows a successful project in 2025 where artist Jasmine Ward decorated a waterfront piano with artwork inspired by what the community meant to her.
This project is part of a 10-year Culture Plan created to put more art into neighbourhoods and common areas. Along with the piano at the waterfront, the town is also creating a mural on Roebuck Street in downtown Brooklin. That mural will use the same theme but is open to artists of all ages to help make the street more lively for people walking in the area.
Town staff and a group of local residents, including artists and teachers, work together to choose the designs for these projects. This ensures the art reflects the people who live in the community. Last year, record-breaking crowds of more than 90,000 residents and visitors attended local events and visited new art pieces like this one in the town.
