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Where did the water go? Art action in Lot M Parking

Ariel map of west campus McMaster University parking lot with superimposed hitsorical topical terrain mapping showing where Coldwater Creek used to flow before the parking lot was built

West Campus Eco-Art Project 

A walking activity and site activation on McMaster’s West Campus. 

West Campus Eco-Art Project is a project that incorporates creative walking activities and an artistic site activation connected with the West Campus Redesign Initiative at McMaster University. The initiative provides opportunities for connecting with nature through an on-line informational video, walking excursions and creative activities that deepen knowledge and experience with place in all its complexities (social history, citizen science, ecology and diversity). 

Focusing on the Coldwater creek valley on McMaster’s West Campus, participants will learn about the history and unique features of the area and will be invited to then engage with the site through observation, sketching and stencil-making. Stencils will be used to paint text and image on the parking lot asphalt to delineate a blue line that marks an historic water route. 

The project is supported by the McMaster Museum of Art (www.musuem.mcmaster.ca, School of the Arts www.sota.humanities.mcmaster.ca, Nature at McMaster www.nature.mcmaster.ca and Restore Cootes www.restore-cootes.org.

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sabarish said…
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January 6, 2026 at 12:08 AM
james said…
The art action in Lot M draws attention to the disappearance of water and encourages people to think about how human development can change natural spaces. Using art to highlight environmental concerns can make an ordinary parking area feel meaningful and encourage deeper reflection on shared surroundings. This kind of connection between ideas also relates to a conceptual framework dissertation, where different concepts are organized to show their relationships and support a clear research direction.
August 21, 2026 at 8:08 AM
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