Katie Wilhelm
Designer and Consultant
Celebrating Communities
“Katie was a pleasure to work with... delivering the project well before the deadline. I would highly recommend working with Katie on any design or branding needs.”
Project
To create an event graphic for the London Heritage Council for the event, “Celebrating Our Communities: A Celebration of Community, Kindness, and Culture.”
This event was created by the London Heritage Council, The London Children’s Museum, Fanshawe Pioneer Village, Museum London, and The Eldon House. It is a virtual event taking place on Monday, August 2, 2021, to celebrate the diverse communities that make up the city of London.
“Celebrating Communities: A Celebration of Connection, Kindness, and Culture” includes musical performances, storytelling, art tutorials, science demonstrations, cooking lessons, cultural discussions, and interactive virtual programming showcasing the vibrant city.
This event has been made possible by the Government of Canada and the City of London. Read About this Project on the London Heritage Council’s Website
My Artist’s Statement
I'm passionate about the community in London. I'm grateful to work to help make the world a safer and more colourful place. With this illustration for the London Heritage Council’s event, ‘Celebrating Communities’, I wanted to convey the beauty of the land we call home. My goal is to visually represent the differences between us that bring us together and make life worth celebrating.
Nature's Palette
The colours used in the illustration are from images of nature. Sunrises in the Winter, sunsets in the Summer, forests, meadows, rivers, native wildlife, and more landscape scenes inspired this illustration.
Braided Water
The process began with a strike of inspiration that started with the river. The braided blue design recognizes the sacredness of water and the interconnectedness of all life.
The Land and Living Things
Caring for the water and land to ensure that future generations can thrive is represented in the land element. The iconic arrowhead-shaped Peace Tree centres the scene. Trees of all shapes and sizes grow out from it, showcasing the beauty of diversity. They reveal how all living things are connected.
Wampum Belt Horizon
The horizon line symbolizes a Wampum Belt and pictures that we all move together on the same land, in the same direction, with the same goal.
Dish with 1 Spoon Wampum
The sun with the inner ring depicts the Dish with 1 Spoon Wampum, the original treaty agreement, and the dawn of a new day. The Dish represents the land that is to be shared peacefully. The Spoon represents the individuals living on and using the resources of the land in a spirit of mutual co-operation.
Cloud of Two-Eyed Seeing
The top of the scene is framed with clouds, representing the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing. This symbolizes moving forward together, with the diverse lens of community. The style of illustration of clouds was taught to me by an Elder when I was in my early teens. It feels good to have this teaching come full circle with this design.
I am happy to contribute this artwork and hope that others will join me in celebrating connection, kindness, and culture. Miigwetch.
Services
Digital Illustration
Indigenous Lens Consultation
Wordmark Design
Testimonial
“The London Heritage Council commissioned Katie to create a design for a virtual event celebrating community and diversity.
Katie was a pleasure to work with on this project. She provided updates throughout the process, communicating regularly and delivering the project well before the deadline.
The creativity and thoughtfulness that went into her choices in the design were apparent. She brought forward perspectives to the event that we wouldn’t have considered on our own.
I would highly recommend working with Katie on any design or branding needs.”