Derek Simmers was commissioned to transform the three walls of the lounge of a Homes First shelter in Scarborough, Ontario.

In summer of 2022, he collaborated with Homes First clients to imagine a transformation of the lounge into a piece of art for everyone to enjoy. Inspired by conversations around healing, finding security, developing new relationships and nurturing old ones, they settled on this image of the Scarborough Bluffs and the Bank Swallows that make their home there.

I was honoured to be welcomed into the space as a volunteer to assist and paint in community alongside Homes First clients.