Museum bike created by local artist Stephanie Scott celebrates community and history
When the Region of Waterloo Museums and Archives team was searching for an opportunity to bring the museum outside of its walls, local artist Stephanie Scott jumped at the opportunity to lend her vibrant, psychedelic style to attract attention to an unconventional canvas – a mobile museum bicycle!
“Part of what intrigued me about this project was the 3D element. I haven’t designed for this type of application before. That came with more challenges than I anticipated – it was like wrapping a mural around a sculpture,” explained Stephanie.
The project was a collaboration with all the Region of Waterloo Museums sites: Doon Heritage Village, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, McDougall Cottage, and Schneider Haus. It’s a tribute to this area’s rich cultural and natural heritage. The colourful design links together elements from these museum sites and also local stories, landmarks and communities.
This new bike will help Waterloo Region residents get a museum experience outside the walls of our sites. The museum bike will appear at festivals and community events throughout the summer months, offering hands-on activities and engagement for residents of all ages.
Look closely! The mobile museum bike is alive with hidden symbolism (or “Easter eggs”). A teacup, guitar and thistle tie McDougall Cottage’s tasty and musical programming to its Scottish roots, while a train engine and various animals hint at the sights you’ll find at Doon Heritage Village.
A red wheel represents “Hazel,” the iconic steam engine from the former Kaufman Footwear Factory, while the colourful tracks nod to both the hexadecimal code “quilt” wall and train tracks at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum. Schneider Haus’s “pride fence” is recognizable on the bike, and local history buffs may catch the subtle nod to the site’s history as a mini putt centre in 1931. There is a Two Row Wampum and iconic buildings.
Working on the design for the Hazel steam engine had special significance for Stephanie. Her grandmother worked at the former Kaufman Factory.
“The Region’s team had a strong vision for the energy they wanted the bike to convey,” Stephanie said. “Together we chose the most suitable images, and the best places for them to be positioned.”
The Museum Bike is more than a mobile artwork – it’s a conversation starter and activity station.
“I hope people see it from a distance and decide to get a closer look. I hope they are curious about the imagery, and ask questions about what each thing represents,” Stephanie said. “Perhaps they will recognize some of the content and know instantly which site it’s connected to. I hope this project encourages more people to visit these sites and discover some local history!”
Stephanie’s work can be seen throughout Southern Ontario, as well as Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. Locally she’s worked on hand painted murals for the Downtown Kitchener BIA, Wilfrid Laurier and 44 Gaukel. You can learn more about Stephanie and her work on her website.
Learn more about the museum bike.