Lyndsay McLeod, one of the teachers at Cawthra Park Secondary School who organized Unearth Uncover, came up with the idea to make and install historic plaques that would highlight Black histories not taught in the Ontario curriculum.
Through the school’s social justice classes and Black Student Association, she engaged students and teachers to research content and install plaques throughout Toronto and Peel Region. In addition, she asked Grade 11 students to create a visual art piece to honour and commemorate people, places and events in Black Canadian history.
The Peel Art Gallery, Museum and Archives (PAMA) showcased the Unearth Uncover project with a virtual display of the student artwork and plaques. PAMA shared this project with the Museums of Mississauga as an opportunity to collaborate with a local school. The Museums of Mississauga then approached Lyndsay McLeod to pitch the creation of an exhibition. Following a few months of collaboration, the Unearth Uncover exhibition was displayed at Bradley Museum Anchorage Galleries from September 22, 2022 to November 20, 2022.
This exhibition is now on display at the Small Arms Inspection Building, available to view during public hours.
A modified version of the full Unearth Uncover exhibition will travel to and be showcased at Mississauga facilities throughout the month of February.
The exhibition is also on display in Caledon at Caledon Centre for Recreation, Caledon East Community Centre, and Southfields Community Centre.