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Public Art Profile

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Artist: Joy Santiago
Category: Temporary Public Art Projects
Address: Ward 3 - West Drive and Orenda Road

This design is inspired by my partner's childhood friendships in Brampton, as well as my son, who was born right here and is now growing up in the city. I wanted to celebrate my partner’s story – his oldest friends were made during kindergarten – and they are still friends to this day. I love seeing my son meet new friends at the EarlyOn centre we visit, and hope that one day he can make lifelong friendships in the city, just like his dad.

Joy San

image of Growing Up Together in Brampton, 2026

Joy San (she/her) is a Filipina Canadian illustrator, comic artist, and writer. She lives and works in Brampton with her family of three. Her comics have been published by the New Yorker, Silver Sprocket, Balustrade Press, and Chickadee Magazine. Her work focuses on narrative and story featuring surreal themes that straddle the line between the ​strange and funny. Her book, "Sugar & Other Stories", was published in 2023 by Silver Sprocket and is currently in circulation in the Brampton, Mississauga, and Toronto Public Libraries. She is also the founder of the Brampton Indie Comics & Zines (BICZ) collective. In her spare time, she films vlogs on YouTube about her life as an artist and mother. She graduated from Seneca College with an Independent Illustration Diploma and holds an HBSc in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour from McMaster University.