A new bench at La Centrale!
Following our collaboration with the creative network My Friend Frankie, it's with great enthusiasm that we welcome a new colorful bench at la Centrale, painted by artist Cedar Eve!
Every day, passers-by and employees of La Centrale's neighboring businesses rest on this large yellow bench, aged by the years and adorned with graffiti. Located on the Saint-Laurent Boulevard, this unusual mascot has quickly become a place for meet-cutes, cigarette breaks or rest after a long walk. With the intention of thanking the bench's loyal occupants, La Centrale has teamed up with My Friend Frankie to give it a new lease of life and charm. We hope that a fresh coat of paint and an inspiring design can continue the long tradition of gathering, and reflect the vibrant community that makes this neighborhood so special.
This projects marks the first collaboration between the centre and the creative network My Friend Frankie (MFF), which is dedicated to uplifting artists and fostering community connections. Through art markets, consignment opportunities, and collaborative projects, MFF provides a platform for independent creatives to share their work in an accessible and supportive environment. More than just an art collective, MFF nurtures creative expression through public art initiatives, workshops, and community-driven events, making art more engaging and inclusive for everyone. We sincerely thank MFF for proposing, co-organizing and funding this initiative.
Thanks to this initiative, it's with great enthusiasm that we welcome a new colorful bench at la Centrale! Painted during the second week of June, it displays the work of multidisciplinary artist Cedar Eve.
June 30, 2025 - A new summer mural, by Cedar Eve
La Centrale's bench before its much needed transformation...
CEDAR EVE is a multidisciplinary artist currently based between Montreal and Toronto. She is Anishinaabe (Ojibway), from Saugeen First Nation and Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, but born and raised in Toronto. She graduated from Concordia University in 2012 from Studio Arts, where her focus was primarily on painting.
She is a full-time bead artist and muralist. She has painted murals in Peru, Arizona, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Alberta and Winnipeg. Her company Cedar Eve Creations focuses on beaded jewellery and limited edition screen printed clothing. During the school year, she works with Cree youth in James Bay (Northern Quebec) teaching art.
Through her paintings she explores her world-view and identity while also being inspired by the idea of shapeshifters—creatures on the border between human and animal are painted in bright, bold colours. Communication, and symbiotic energies are prevalent within her work. She has come to view these creatures as her spirit beings or guides. They are inspired by the stories she has heard growing up, her dreamworld and her need to remember her ancestors. She works intuitively, free-handing her designs when she can.
She uses house-paint and spray paint within her large-scale murals and often chooses her colours based on mood. She believes that colour can be healing; brightening up a space and allowing for new energies to be felt. She uses colour as a way to take up space, to create high visibility paintings that are hard to ignore. Her work is meant to question the viewer about what they know about First Nations culture. The language of art allows for communication by non-verbal means and is integral to keeping First Nations cultures alive.
©Cedar Eve
A special thanks to Brandon Dalmer, who built our new bench. Photos: ©Rosemarie Laporte