As Brampton’s 50th birthday celebrations enter the final month, the City has unveiled a newly commissioned mural, Blossoming Brampton, by renowned artist Jerry Rugg (aka birdO), marking a half-century of growth, diversity, and community spirit. Located in the heart of downtown Brampton on The Rose, this vibrant mural symbolizes Brampton’s transformation over the past 50 years and celebrates the City’s heritage and promising future.
“Public art has the unique ability to bring people together and tell our story in a way that words alone cannot. Blossoming Brampton celebrates our city’s evolution and the incredible strength of our diverse community. This project beautifies our downtown and celebrates Brampton’s creativity, heritage, and spirit. It has been inspiring to see our residents come together to shape the narrative of our city’s past and future. Congratulations to birdO and everyone involved!”
– Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5, Chair, Community Services
The mural embodies the collective voices of the community, shaped through active resident participation in selecting the art concept. After engaging with hundreds of residents and leveraging the expertise of a dedicated arts selection committee, the City proudly chose Blossoming Brampton as the commemorative design. The City extends its gratitude to the residents who contributed to this vision, as well as those who attended events throughout the year in honour of Brampton’s 50th birthday since being incorporated as a city.
This commemorative mural joins Brampton’s more than 65 public art installations, demonstrating the City’s commitment to celebrating its diverse culture and shared community values while supporting the ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown area. As the City moves forward, it remains dedicated to creativity and community engagement.
For more information on the mural and Brampton’s public art collection, visit brampton.ca/publicart.
Reflecting on a Year of Celebration
This year’s celebrations commemorate Brampton’s vibrant community, with events and opportunities for residents to come together and reflect on the city’s rich history. Highlights of the 50th anniversary year included:
- ‘Celebrate You’ Song by Omega Mighty: The City collaborated with Canada’s Music Incubator Limited (CMI) to commission a special 50th birthday song. Written and performed by Brampton Native Omega Mighty and composed and produced by Darryn DeSouza and Spencer Heaslip (Taabu), the song titled ‘Celebrate You’ embodies Brampton’s spirit of unity and pride. The song remains available on all streaming platforms or at brampton.ca/chapter50.
- Brampton’s 50th Birthday Bash: A fun-filled event that brought together residents of all ages to celebrate Brampton’s remarkable journey, featuring live performances by Brampton’s own Arts Walk of Fame Inductees Keshia Chanté, Exco Levi, and Johnny Reid, food, and entertainment.
- PIXEL: Chapter 50 Digital Art Exhibition: Local art lovers and enthusiasts had an opportunity to enjoy digital artwork and short films made by 50 local creatives as part of the City of Brampton and Brampton Arts Organization’s (BAO) PIXEL Chapter: 50 Exhibition. PIXEL showcases the interdisciplinary talent that lives in Brampton. Visit bramptonartsorg.ca for a list of the 2024 PIXEL: Digital Art Exhibition creators.
- Brampton Citizen Awards: To honour Brampton’s milestone, a new special Citizen Awards category, Celebrating Brampton’s 50th, was added this year to honour individuals who have made exceptional contributions to community social services, recreational sport, the arts, and economic development.
- Blossoming Brampton Commemorative Mural: A year-long initiative that encouraged residents to engage with public art and beautification projects throughout the city, enhancing Brampton’s public spaces and celebrating the collective effort to make the city bloom. The grand unveiling of the mural serves as a lasting tribute to Brampton’s growth and transformation over the past five decades.
- Brampton Transit and Brampton Fire Truck Wrapping: Dedicated vehicle wraps to commemorate the celebration throughout the year.
- Golden LED Sign at Ken Whillans Square: Residents and visitors to downtown Brampton had an opportunity to commemorate the City’s 50th Birthday by capturing photos with the Brampton 50 LED sign. Illuminated gold at night, the LED sign attracted people of all ages, serving as both a backdrop for cherished memories and a reminder of Brampton’s history and bright future.
Brampton’s 50th Birthday
The City of Brampton marked its 50th birthday on January 1, 2024. From a settlement in the early 1800s to an officially designated city in 1974, Brampton has grown into the ninth largest city in Canada and a dynamic city with a proud past and bright future. Throughout the year, the City has commemorated 50 vibrant years of growth through a series of events, initiatives, and activities. Learn more at brampton.ca/chapter50. Brampton residents and visitors can also share exciting and memorable stories and photos on social media using #BramptonChapter50 and tagging the City of Brampton.
Additional Quotes
“As Brampton celebrates its 50th birthday, the unveiling of this stunning mural, Blossoming Brampton, is a powerful reminder of how far we have come as a community. It reflects our growth, diversity, and shared values while symbolizing the vibrant future we’re building together. Thank you to birdO and all the residents who contributed to this beautiful piece of art that will inspire for years to come.”
– Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton
“It has been an honour to create Blossoming Brampton as a tribute to this incredible city and its 50 years of growth and transformation. This mural reflects the diversity, resilience, and creativity that make Brampton such a special place. Collaborating with the community and the City has been a rewarding experience, and I hope this piece inspires pride and joy for years to come.”
– Jerry Rugg (aka birdO), Muralist of Blossoming Brampton
