6 October 2016Celebrating the Rideau Canal through art_ (press release) _ ** Ottawa **– ** **New murals were officially showcased today on Queen Elizabeth Drive and Colonel By Drive under the Laurier Avenue Bridge. This is the third year of the [ Murals on Underpasses ](http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/water-and-environment/green-living/murals-underpasses)program intended to feature local artists and beautify the City. “These underpasses are key gateways to Ottawa’s downtown, and it’s only fitting that the artists have celebrated the historical and social significance of the Rideau Canal,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “These murals are fun and whimsical and yet help document Ottawa’s unique communities and their histories.” Somerset Ward Councillor Catherine McKenney and Rideau-Vanier Ward Councillor Mathieu Fleury also participated in today’s showcase. https://twitter.com/KeithEgli/status/784095373061156864https://twitter.com/ottawacity/status/784122339223035909 ** Queen Elizabeth Drive ** ** Artists: **Cassandra Dickie and Dodo Ose This mural is a surrealist approach to the evolution of the Rideau Canal, inspired by a combination of double exposure photography and watercolour technique. Large historical images and smaller detailed contemporary scenes reflect a journey down the canal, from nature to urban sprawl, summer to winter, and past to present. ** Colonel By Drive ** ** Artist: **Ryan Smeeton This mural highlights the significance of the Rideau Canal and reflects upon the aspects that make it so important to Canadians as a source of leisure, history and commerce. The imagery references its engineering and construction as well as its everyday function. “These murals bring recognition to local artists, enhance our neighbourhoods and have proven to be effective in managing graffiti vandalism,” said Councillor Egli. “They give downtown visitors out for a walk or a skate even more reasons to stop, and gaze and enjoy their surroundings.”