South Arm Millennium Mural: Tribute to the Ecosphere

Tribute to the Ecosphere, an 8' x 18' (244 x 549 cm) ceramic-tile mural comprised of over four hundred hand-painted tiles, was produced as a community-based collaborative art project. The mural focuses on the biodiversity of Richmond, with particular emphasis on the importance of people of all cultural backgrounds working together to preserve existing species and ecological systems.

In total over 225 Richmond residents contributed to this project in numerous sessions that Zeigler held in schools and at the South Arm Community Centre in Richmond, British Columbia. The project was carried out in collaboration with James Whiteside Elementary School teachers M. N. Ardanaz, Peter Guzzo, and Mark Klein, and Choice Learning Centre teacher Christine Giesbrecht, their students, and members of the public.

Zeigler initated and secured primary funding for this project and brought it to completion over a two-year period. Brian Holling, of Capilano University, served as the technical assistant, and orchestrated the installation of the mural. The mural was unveiled in a ceremony at South Arm Community Centre in the late spring of 2000, and the project received a Mayor's Environmental Achievement Award.   Materials for the project were funded by a City of Richmond grant and generous donations by the local business community.

3. Close up of Tribute to the Ecosphere

4. A plaque commemorating and listing all those who contributed to the mural project.

5. A James Whiteside student from Mr. Peter Guzzo's grade three/four class.

6. James Whiteside Elementary School teacher Peter Guzzo assisting students in the painting of tiles.

7. Sherry Sakamoto (left) of Pacific Spirit Productions, who produced a video related to this project, filming an in-class painting session with student Kenan Sungur (right) and others assisting.  

12. Brian Holling leading the installation of the mural at the South Arm Community Centre with assistance from Les Koskitala and other Richmond residents.