Brantford Public Art Subcommittee

The role of the City of Brantford’s Public Art Subcommittee (PAS) is to promote and enhance Brantford with Public Art, and encourage residents and visitors alike to visit public spaces. The PAS works to support City staff, advocate, develop and promote the growth of the Public Art Collection through commissioning new works, facilitating donations, and supporting temporary installations. The subcommittee also provides strategic input and advice to Council and Staff on all matters of Public Art.

The Public Art Subcommittee is responsible for:

  • Promoting awareness and understanding of the benefits of art in public spaces;
  • Providing strategic input and advice to City of Brantford staff and Brantford’s City Council regarding the type and location of Public Art as well as the development of policies and guidelines;
  • Assisting with the selection of Public Art;
  • Recommending any changes and/or additions to the evaluation criteria for section of Public Art, as required;
  • Working with City of Brantford staff to identify potential sites and projects for future Public Art installations, and
  • Making recommendations for the expenditures from the Public Art Reserve Fund for the purpose of new acquisitions of public art, or public art education.

About the Subcommittee

PAS is a volunteer subcommittee that exists to provide expert community input and support on the City's Public Art policies and procedures. The subcommittee also provides guidance and advice to City Staff. PAS is made up of community members committed to the promotion, advancement and advocacy of Public Art in the City of Brantford.

Member Bios

Chris Paul Farias
Chris Paul FariasChris Paul Farias is a creative strategist, storyteller, artist, and public speaker. They founded the Unicorn Rebellion, a branding agency that helps not-for-profits and other organizations discover their brilliant truth. They've contributed as a columnist, correspondent, lecturer, and speaker for various media outlets (Marketing Mag, CBC), events, and conferences.
Heather George
Heather GeorgeHeather is a mother, gardener, beader, curator, PhD Candidate and the Executive Director of Woodland Cultural Centre where she is leading the multimillion-dollar construction project to rehabilitate the former Mohawk Institute Residential School. With both Euro-Canadian and Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) family, much of Heather's personal and professional work has been directed at gaining a better understanding of Indigenous culture, heritage and responsibilities to community. Her current PhD research through University of Waterloo examines the historical and philosophical underpinnings of contemporary museum practices across Haudenosaunee communities. She seeks to better understand how material culture can be used to heal trauma and make space for cross-cultural dialogues. In 2019 Heather was awarded the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship for her research. Heather has spent over a decade working for urban and reserve based Indigenous organizations in the Six Nations of the Grand River territory focused on cultural preservation, heritage, and youth resiliency. From 2022-2023 Heather served as the president of the Candian Musuems Association (the first Indigenous woman ever to hold this role) and supported staff in the development of the Moved to Action report in support of the TRC call to action #67. This spring Heather will open her first international exhibition with the Musée d'ethnographie de Genève.
Janet Kempster
Janet KempsterJanet was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and her passion for art became very evident in high school. She went on to earn a post graduate degree in Fine Arts. She and her husband immigrated to Canada in 1974, settling in Brantford. Choosing  teaching as a career Janet  taught high school art in the city for some thirty years.    She co-authored an illustrated history book ‘Brantford, Grand River Crossing’ published in 1986.  Janet turned from painting to photography in 1995 and earned an Art Photography Certificate from Mohawk College, Hamilton.  She later taught evening  photography classes there for ten years.  Janet has been very involved  in judging photography since 2001 with invitations encompassing areas from regional to international competition.  She has always remained involved in the arts in Brantford.  She was a volunteer for well over twenty years at the  Glenhyrst Art Gallery of Brant, including a term as President. She has been a member of various city arts councils - most currently, the City’s Public Art Committee. Famous painter Paul Klee stated that “Art does not reflect the visible, but makes visible.”  Janet strives through her own work to ‘make visible’ aspects of the world around her that may be overlooked or unseen by others. She also hopes that through her photography she can evoke an emotional response, tell a story, educate, or simply create interest and enjoyment.
Jazmin Beddard

Jazmin Beddard

Jazmin (she/her) has worked and volunteered in the Ontario cultural heritage sector over the last decade, for several museums and various cultural institutions, participating in academic and Cultural Resource Management efforts, and steering conservation projects. She has a H.B.A.Sc. from LakeHead University specializing in archaeology and history, M.A. archaeological training from Trent University, graduate certification in Cultural Heritage and Conservation Management from Fleming College, and M.A.I.S. from Royal Roads University. Originally from Hamilton, she now lives in St. George, ON.
Sumedha Mongia 

Sumedha MongiaSumedha Mongia is an Indo-Canadian artist with experience in grants administration, program management, and community engagement. Currently based in Brantford, Ontario, she has significantly contributed to the cultural landscape in Canada through her diverse roles in various esteemed organizations including Toronto Arts Council and Brampton Arts Organization.

Sumedha is passionate about dance. She has trained in Indian classical dance (Odissi) and has explored various other styles. She has conducted numerous workshops focusing on healthy living, community building, cultural enrichment and fostering a sense of belonging. Sumedha's dedication to the arts and community building is evident in her active engagement in cultural initiatives. Her passion for fostering an inclusive arts community has led her to collaborate with diverse artists and organizations. Sumedha continues to inspire and empower individuals through her art, making a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.
Wiktor Kulinski

Wiktor KulinskiWiktor currently serves as the Chair of Grand Culture, an organization dedicated to fostering a vibrant cultural scene in the Brant region. He also lends his expertise by sitting on various arts, culture, and heritage committees. With a PhD in Performance Theory and Anthropology, Wiktor's research bridges these disciplines to develop imaginative understandings of anthropological questions. More practically, he employs ethnographic methods to better understand and advance the creative and cultural sectors.