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Public Art Profile

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Artist: Ashley Beerdat with assistance from Krit Sekhon
Category: Temporary Public Art Projects
Address: Andrew McCandless Park (450 Elbern Markell Drive, Brampton ON)

This public art initiative is part of the My Neighbourhood Art Project, a series of site-specific, temporary art installations created in collaboration with the local community.

"Jungle of Play" explores the relationship between nature, imagination, community, and discovery through a vibrant tropical landscape at Andrew McCandless Park. The mural transforms the park environment into an immersive imagined jungle, creating a visual connection between the built space and the natural world.

Inspired by tropical ecosystems, the work brings together lush flora, wildlife, flowing water, and a glowing sunset through vibrant colour, organic forms, and dynamic movement. These elements create a sense of energy and wonder while inviting viewers to explore the landscape and discover details within it.

Community consultation played an important role in shaping the imagery. The consultation tent was positioned beside the existing jungle gym, inspiring the connection between the mural and the park's environment. Children contributed ideas for animals, including monkeys, which also references the monkey-bar structures. The local cricket team suggested a waterfall alluding to the water park by the playground, which became a key element of the composition.

The artistic process combines large-scale mural painting with layered colour, fl​owing shapes, and organic forms. The composition was developed in response to the architecture and features of the park, allowing the mural to feel integrated within its surroundings.

Ultimately, "Jungle of Play" celebrates nature as a source of imagination, connection, and discovery, bringing community ideas together to create a colourful and engaging public artwork.

My Neighbourhood Art Project exemplifies the importance of meaningful community arts engagement and neighbourhood beautification.

image of Jungle of Play, 2026

Ashley Beerdat is a painter and muralist based in the GTA She has a BA in Studio Art and Art History from Western University and her MFA from the University of Waterloo. Her work is held in Mississauga's permanent corporate art collection and has been exhibited at KWAG gallery, Tom Thomson Gallery, The Body Shop Studios, Small Arms Inspection Building, Latitude 53, The Artist Project and Withrow common gallery. Passionate about public art, Ashley has painted murals for the City of Brampton, Mississauga, and Toronto. Ashley was a recipient of the SHRCC Doctoral Fellowship, the Ontario Graduate Scholarship, and the Walter Metzger Memorial Award. She has also received grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the Canada Arts Council.

Krit Sekhon is a Punjabi-Canadian visual artist in the Greater Toronto Area. She graduated with her Bachelor of Studio Art from Brock University in 2026. Her multidisciplinary practice explores contemporary culture, identity, and the experiences of growing up between Eastern and Western influences. Krit has exhibited her work in galleries across the Niagara and Toronto regions, including the Northern Contemporary Gallery, John Mann Gallery, Marilyn I. Walker Visual Art Gallery, and Niagara Artists Centre. She is the recipient of the Medland and Green Inspiring Artists Bursary and 13th Street Winery Expression Award. Alongside her studio practice, Krit has worked extensively as an art instructor and content creator contributing to arts education and community programming.