I had the opportunity to present at the 2026 Environmental Design Competition at Fanshawe College: Designing Dementia Friendly Villages. I’m honoured that my project Forest Haven was awarded First Place. Forest Haven is a nature-based design that supports dignity, independence, and wellbeing for people living with dementia. The concept integrates therapeutic landscapes, climate-responsive design strategies, and meaningful connections to nature. Key features include a food forest, sensory-rich planting, and restorative outdoor spaces that encourage gentle exploration and connection with the seasons. Thank you to the organizers and adjudicators for the opportunity to share this work, and for supporting innovation in environmental design that enhances quality of life for aging populations.
“Joyful Melody” is a vibrant hand-painted piano by Ann-Marie Cheung and is now bringing more colour and creativity to downtown St. Thomas! Ann-Marie is also the current featured Platform 13 artist, with her work on display in the Railway City Tourism Office for the next six months. Come experience her beautiful art up close.
“Harmony Across Horizons serves as a visual celebration of the unique bond between Burlington and Itabashi, promoting the values of peace, unity, and global understanding. The design encapsulates the essence of Itabashi’s meaning, “plank bridge,” while celebrating the beauty of plum trees, swirling water energy, and employing a woodcut-like style. The mural’s focal point is a gracefully arched plank bridge, symbolizing the connection between Burlington and Itabashi. This is mirrored on the back of the design, with a representation of the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge. The bridges serve as a visual metaphor for the cultural ties that unite the two cities.” Ann-Marie Cheung 2024 Vinyl wrap mural located in Spencer Smith Park, Burlington, Canada
Mayor Sakamoto (Itabashi), Mayor Meed Ward (Burlington) and Ann-Marie Cheung (Artist)
“The City of Burlington hosted a delegation from our twin city, Itabashi, Japan, over Canada Day weekend. Following a courtesy call inside our council chambers on Sunday (June 30) to welcome our guests, including Mayor Sakamoto, a Sakura tree was planted at City Hall and then public art was unveiled at Spencer Smith Park.
Ann-Marie Cheung’s “Harmony Across Horizons” serves as a visual celebration of the unique bond between Burlington and Itabashi, promoting the values of peace, unity, and global understanding. The design encapsulates the essence of Itabashi’s meaning, “plank bridge,” while celebrating the beauty of cherry trees, swirling water energy, and employing a woodcut-like style. The mural’s focal point is a gracefully arched plank bridge, symbolizing the connection between Burlington and Itabashi. This is mirrored on the back of the design, with a representation of the Burlington Canal Lift Bridge. The bridges serve as a visual metaphor for the cultural ties that unite the two cities.
Our guests then enjoyed the wonderful Canada Day celebrations at Spencer Smith Park, which included a Japanese drumming performance by Nagata Shachu.
The delegation then presented the City of Burlington with a gift (a woodblock print from famed artist Utagawa Hiroshige) at a special dinner before they took in the spectacular drone show and fireworks display.”
These include unique hand drawn mandalas to color. Coloring, in particular, mandalas promotes well-being at all ages. For children it is an activity that helps develop hand-eye coordination, trains the mind to recognize shapes, develops creativity, stimulates the sense of patience and attention, and helps the development of intelligence and reasoning.
Coloring is an effective way to reduce anxiety and stress.
