Canada 150 messages to form flag
The Pen Centre is hoping 1,500 people will want to personalize a cloth square that will be combined to make a 15-square-metre Canadian flag.
The flag is part of a Canada 150 initiative by 20 Vic Management Inc., which operates several commercial properties across the country including the Pen.
Pen Centre marketing director Helen Edwards said that each property was to do an art installation, something that showcases Canada 150. It could be in the middle of the mall, on a wall, whatever way they wanted to do.
“We had been in touch with the Niagara Heritage Quilters Guild, it came out of a conversation about how cool would it be to create a community quilt that is a Canadian flag.”
Edwards especially liked the idea of it being a legacy piece that could be on display 10 years from now, or longer.
“Somebody could be walking past and remember when their mom signed it. There’s a nice connection with the community on that.”
The flag is expected to be on display in May as part of the program across the commercial properties.
The suggested donation for a piece of the flag is $2. All of the money will go to two local charities — True Patriot Love and Wounded Warrior.
“The chain decided to put the money towards a veterans association, and we were all allowed to pick which ones,” said Edwards.
“(Wounded Warrior) has a large focus on vets dealing with PTSD and getting them back on their feet and supporting their family, while True Patriot is involved with the community as well.”
While the mall has just started selling the squares, Edwards said it would have a table set up starting today during a March break at the event court.