Traverse Transit shelter artist showcase and self-guided ward tours

Traverse: Transit shelter artist showcase and self-guided ward tours
Hello, and thank you for checking out Traverse, the City of Guelph’s Transit Shelter Artist Showcase, featuring original artwork by 6 local artists, strategically placed throughout all 6 city wards, creating mini art crawls and tours for residents and visitors easily accessible by bus, car, bike and on foot.

With handy ward-based tips on what to see/eat/do, this showcase celebrates community spirit, inclusion and diversity, and inspires civic pride.

From portraits to plein air, this showcase will give you insight into The Royal City’s creative capacity, and a few of the many talented artists that call Guelph home.

Click the artwork below to learn more about the artist, and scroll down to see unique highlights and experiences not to be missed on your tour!

Be sure to check business websites for more information about hours of operation, COVID restrictions, etc.

Subconscious Garden by Chanel DesRoches

Subconscious Garden by Chanel DesRoches

Hillside

Hillside by Jessie Buchanan

Wanted

Wanted by Robert John Paterson

Untitled

Onward by Abby Nowakowski

As the fog clears

As the Fog Clears Plot the Course by Christopher Cape

(519), Kevin Konnyu

(519), Kevin Konnyu by Greg Denton

Downtown Traverse Tour: 3-minute drive; 4-minute bike ride; or 9-minute walk

Bus stop number Location Inside/Outside Ward Artist
101 Wyndham Street, 20 metres north of Quebec Street, west side (ad case panel, no full shelter) Outside Downtown Greg Denton
1001 Quebec at Wyndham westbound Outside Downtown Jessie Buchanan
6003 Norfolk at Oxford northbound Outside Downtown and Ward 3 Robert John Paterson
1130 Wyndham at Cork southbound Inside Downtown Abby Nowakowski
1130 Wyndham at Cork southbound Outside Downtown Christopher Cape
5830 Wyndham at Quebec northbound Outside Downtown Chanel DesRoches

“Downtown Guelph is the jewel in the Royal City’s crown. Its character and charm are matched by its beauty and history. With grand historic limestone buildings, murals and public art, and a long list of places to eat, shop and explore, Downtown Guelph will leave you wanting more!” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.

Recommended stops on your tour

Ward 1 Traverse Tour: 18-minute drive; 39-minute bike ride; or 2 hour and 12-minute walk

Bus stop number Location Inside/Outside Ward Artist
416 Watson at Guelph Transit southbound Outside Ward 1 Greg Denton
333 Watson at Starwood southbound Outside Ward 1 Jessie Buchanan
1415 Starwood at Ralston northbound Outside Ward 1 Robert John Paterson
1411 Watson at Grange southbound Outside Ward 1 Abby Nowakowski
1314 Hadati at Yeats northbound Outside Ward 1 Christopher Cape
424 York at Victoria westbound Outside Ward 1 Chanel DesRoches

This ward encompasses Guelph’s downtown, but also St. Patrick’s Ward, St. George’s Park and the East End.

Recommended stops on your tour

Ward 2 Traverse Tour: 14-minute drive; 31-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 50-minute walk

Bus stop number Location Inside/Outside Ward Artist
236 Woolwich at Mac southbound Outside Wards 2 and 3 Greg Denton
6097 Woolwich at Verney southbound Outside Wards 2 and 3 Jessie Buchanan
1204 Delhi at Guelph General Hospital northbound Outside Ward 1 Robert John Paterson
1214 Woodlawn at Victoria westbound Outside Ward 1 Abby Nowakowski
383 Woodlawn at Speed River westbound Outside Ward 1 Christopher Cape
384 Woodlawn at Woolwich westbound Outside Ward 1 Chanel DesRoches

“The North End neighbourhoods blend with beautiful natural settings with modern urban living. Filled with tree-lined trails that connect to five neighbourhoods, you’ll find Guelph’s Riverside Park, which follows the Speed River…Guelph Lake Conservation Area on the outskirts of the city offers summer camping, and the island is home to the famed Hillside Festival. Other highlights listed below include the Ignatius Old-Growth Forest, an ecological restoration project.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.

Recommended stops on your tour

Ward 3 Traverse Tour: 12-minute drive; 24-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 24-minute walk

Bus stop number Location Inside/Outside Ward Artist
236 Woolwich at Mac southbound Outside Wards 2 and 3 Greg Denton
6097 Woolwich at Verney southbound Outside Wards 2 and 3 Jessie Buchanan
6003 Norfolk at Oxford northbound Outside Downtown and Ward 3 Robert John Paterson
2040 Willow at Bagot eastbound Outside Ward 3 Abby Nowakowski
1110 Dawson at Guelph Medical Place northbound Outside Ward 3 Christopher Cape
391 Westmount at Division southbound Outside Ward 3 Chanel DesRoches

Arguably one of the most beautiful wards in the city, this ward encompasses Exhibition Park, as well as the Junction and Sunny Acres neighbourhoods.

Recommended stops on your tour

Ward 4 Traverse Tour: 15-minute drive; 27-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 30-minute walk

Bus stop number Location Inside/Outside Ward Artist
2006 Willow at Marksam westbound Outside Ward 4 Greg Denton
2007 Willow at Rhonda westbound Inside Ward 4 Jessie Buchanan
276 Imperial at Willow southbound Inside Ward 4 Robert John Paterson
228 Woodlawn at Regal eastbound Outside Ward 4 Abby Nowakowski
2005 Willow at Silvercreek westbound Outside Ward 4 Christopher Cape
1117 Willow at Silvercreek eastbound Outside Ward 4 Chanel DesRoches

“The West End started to develop in the 1970s and continues to grow today. Home to the West End Community Centre, a fully accessible, multi-purpose community centre with a variety of facilities. This neighbourhood is also a brewer’s hub, housing Canada’s oldest independently owned microbrewery, Wellington Brewery, and Guelph’s newest brewery, Fixed Gear Brewing.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.

Recommended stops on your tour

Ward 5 Traverse Tour: 6-minute drive; 11-minute bike ride; 42-minute walk

Bus stop number Location Inside/Outside Ward Artist
117 College at Vanier eastbound Outside Ward 5 Greg Denton
118 College at Lynnwood eastbound Outside Ward 5 Jessie Buchanan
1518 Edinburgh at Chancellors Way southbound Outside Ward 5 Robert John Paterson
1505 Stone at Stone Road Mall westbound Outside Ward 5 Abby Nowakowski
114 Stone at Scottsdale westbound Outside Ward 5 Christopher Cape
116 Janefield at Mason northbound Outside Ward 5 Chanel DesRoches

This ward includes the University of Guelph campus, and Stone Road Mall, Guelph’s largest shopping mall.

“The University of Guelph’s history dates back to 1874 when the Ontario School of Agriculture was established on a farm provided by the Ontario government. In 1880 it became the Ontario Agricultural College. In addition to its historic campus and state of the art athletics facilities, visitors to the UofG should schedule a stop at the Art Gallery of Guelph on their visit. With Canada’s largest outdoor sculpture park at its doorstep, you’ll be enchanted by the diverse collection featuring works from some of Canada’s premier artists.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.

Recommended stops on your tour

Ward 6 Traverse Tour: 11-minute drive; 23-minute bike ride; or 1 hour and 8-minute walk

Bus stop number Location Inside/Outside Ward Artist
5608 Gordon at Arkell northbound Outside Ward 6 Greg Denton
168 Gordon at Edinburgh northbound Inside Ward 6 Jessie Buchanan
170 Gordon at Harts northbound Outside Ward 6 Robert John Paterson
718 Kortright and Preservation Park Outside Ward 6 Chanel DesRoches
164 Edinburgh at Rodgers southbound Outside Ward 6 Abby Nowakowski
165 Edinburgh at Southcreek southbound Outside Ward 6 Christopher Cape

“The South End is a booming neighbourhood with new housing developments, tasty restaurants, accommodation options, and Guelph’s largest brewery (and the third largest brewery in Canada), Sleeman Breweries…The South End also offers an opportunity to connect with nature, with trails, parks, green spaces, golf courses and more.” From the 2020 Visit Guelph Guide.

Recommended stops on your tour

Don’t see your business listed in the ward highlights section? Feel free to contact [email protected] to be added to the list!


Thanks to our supporters

The City received $101,000 in funding earlier this summer from FedDev Ontario through the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). The Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is for COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts in the tourism, arts and culture sectors. All costs associated with this project are covered through the RRRF funding. The City gratefully thanks these funding bodies for their support.

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Visit Guelph
StreetSeen Media Transit Advertising