Words While We Wait: Public Art Project

Words While We Wait is a Kawartha Lakes public art project that brings community stories to life through poetry and illustration.

First launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project returned in 2025 with a new theme: our relationship with food. Local writers and artists came together to explore how food connects us to our families, memories and community.

Explore the 2025 artwork and discover the stories behind the project.

The 2025 theme: Our Connection to Food

Food plays an important role in our lives. It brings people together, connects us to traditions and helps shape our memories.

During the pandemic, many of us experienced changes in how we grew, prepared, shared and accessed food. From sourdough baking and backyard gardens to grocery costs and food delivery, our relationship with food changed.

Five years later, Words While We Wait invited residents to reflect on those experiences and share their stories through poetry.

A six-week call for submissions opened on March 21, 2025, World Poetry Day, and continued through National Poetry Month in April.

Explore the 2025 Words While We Wait Artwork

The 2025 exhibition brought together poetry from Kawartha Lakes residents and illustrations by local artists.

Selected poems were paired with artists from the Kawartha Arts Network to create unique pieces that celebrate the community's connection to food.

Explore the selected works below.

'A Garden's Promise' by Anders Widjedal

Painting of people at a farmers' market.

'Lindsay Farmers' Market' by RoseMarie Condon

'Enough is Enough' by Lezley Woodham

Black and white scratchboard art of a picnic basket overflowing with food.

'Food In/Security' by Laura O’Neill

Painting of apples and blossoms. A jar under the blossoms has text reading 'Be Good To The Bees'

'Be Good to the Bees' by Donna Lockey

Painting of a person's mouth and teeth. Their lips are blue and blue juice is dripping out their mouth.

'Savour' by Markus Leydolt

Painting of two people walking under ice-covered branches.

'Questions' by Samantha Jones

Artwork of strawberries and blossoms, with bees on the flowers.

'Bounty' by Joan Forsythe

Artwork of an island covered in fast food. The foreground is the bow of a boat heading toward the island.

'Grease Marks' by Leah James

Artwork showing various images of a Canadian long weekend, including marshmallows on fire, dragon flies, corn on the cob, and chairs on a dock. The foreground includes a hand holding a mug of a hot drink.

'May Two-Four' by Lesley Drummond

Artwork of woman holding basket of produce, surrounded by plants.

'Love' by Astrid Hood

Words While We Wait 2025 Map

Check the map to view the artwork from the 2025 Words While We Wait. The map shows the exhibit locations from 2025.

About Words While We Wait

Words While We Wait began in 2020 and 2021 as a temporary public art project during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Residents were invited to submit poetry about their experiences. Selected poems were displayed as illustrated posters in Kawartha Lakes Public Transit bus shelters, creating opportunities for people to connect through shared stories.

The project returned in 2025 to explore how our relationship with food had changed since the pandemic.

Where the Artwork was Displayed

The 2025 exhibition featured artwork in Kawartha Lakes Public Transit shelters, on the City's website and on the main floor of City Hall.

The exhibition ended on December 1, 2025. You can continue to explore the selected works through the online gallery.

Learn more about other public art programs in Kawartha Lakes.

Public Art in Kawartha Lakes

Supporting Local Arts and Culture

Words While We Wait is part of the City's Economic Development Arts and Culture program.

The project was created in partnership with the Kawartha Arts Network (KAN), connecting local writers and visual artists to share their creativity with the community.

Supporting the Creative Economy in Kawartha Lakes

Connect with Donna Goodwin, Economic Development Officer - Culture

Telephone: 705-324-9411 extension 1498
Toll Free: 1-866-397-6673
Email Donna