Get ready to discover the hidden gems of Sudbury with our "Places of Sudbury" campaign! As we gear up for the highly anticipated OAA's 2023 Conference, Designing for Dignity, we've scoured the region to uncover the most exciting locations that will be showcased at the bespoke conference event in June.

Our campaign celebrates the richness and diversity of the Sudbury region, from its resource extraction and regeneration to its remoteness and unique design challenges. This year's conference will be held at the gateway to Northern Ontario, providing us with an unprecedented opportunity to collaborate with local communities and engage in meaningful conversations about how our profession can promote dignity for all. Join us as we celebrate the "Places of Sudburv" and discover what makes this region an exciting place to live, work, and play!

1. Where?
The site of an abandoned hospital in Sudbury, just a short walk from Bell Park, is the home of Canada’s largest mural. Covering nearly 80,000 square feet, the facade of the former St. Joseph’s Health Centre has become a vibrant display of colour within the city. With hints of butterflies, the mural symbolizes metamorphosis, renewal, and the cycle of life. Following the consolidation of Sudbury’s three medical institutions in 2010, the hospital was left with an uncertain future. After nearly a decade, it has since been transformed into a large-scale display of arts and culture.

2. What?
In 2019, artist Kelly Graval (professionally known as RISK), was commissioned to paint the building’s facade as part of the annual Up Here Festival, a local urban art and music event. Graval's public works evoke emotion with colour, paying homage to his roots as a graffiti artist. The mural here in Sudbury is no different, bringing a splash of creativity to a previously abandoned space. The mural’s bright colour palette and immense scale are enough to leave a lasting impact on the viewer.

3. Why?
The mural has brought life to the community, acting as a display of the urban art scene here in Sudbury. It has become a topic of conversation by many, and this vivid sculpture truly makes a statement in the city. The mural brings a sense of brightness to a previously unused space and has become a topic of conversation throughout the community. The mural brings something unexpected to the city, opening the building up to an entirely new interpretation. Art activates the space here, making the former hospital a destination worth visiting.