Gzowski College is helping to add vibrancy to the downtown core this winter by participating in Peterborough’s Downtown Business Improvement Association community art project – Painted Paddle.

Gzowski College is one of almost 20 community members, organizations and charities who have donated their time to paint a canoe paddle, to be auctioned off to benefit local employment.  

“When we heard about the Peterborough DBIA Painted Paddle Project, we leapt at the opportunity to represent our collegiate system, and Gzowski College in particular, so creatively,” says Dr. Melanie Buddle, principal of Gzowski College. “We also wanted to honour the deep connection between Trent and the downtown community in Peterborough.”

The Paddle Project also gave Gzowski students the chance to leave their mark on their College community.

“I really enjoyed being a part of this project and am glad that I got to design and paint the side depicting the Otonabee River and Faryon Bridge,” says Christine Young, first-year Media Studies student living in the Gzowski College residence. “My favorite part about taking part in this project wasn't just painting the paddle. It was that I got to be a part of something that is going to represent my College, and I am so proud and grateful that I had this opportunity.”

Gzowski’s paddle features two designs, one side highlighting Gzowski’s Enwayaang building and the Gzowski College crest, with the other side depicting the Trent University’s Symons campus, representing Trent’s collegiate connection to the wider university community.

“Our paddle is named ‘Enwayaang’, which is also our building’s name: it means ‘the way we speak together’ and that was what this paddle project embodied – many artists, working together, on a collaborative project for the DBIA,” explained Dr. Buddle. “And of course, we couldn’t resist an opportunity to contribute to a great cause, support the DBIA, and support a fundraiser for One City PTBO.”

The finished paddles will be displayed in windows in local businesses downtown as part of a tour for the month of February. The paddles will be displayed in ground level windows all over downtown, creating a painted paddle hunt. An online auction will be held on March 5 as part of the DBIA’s First Friday initiative. All proceeds for the paddles will benefit the One City Employment Program.

The Trent Vegetable Gardens also contributed a paddle to this project.

Learn more about Gzowski College and Trent’s collegiate communities.