On Saturday June 13th people from across the Ottawa Valley gathered under the trees in Killaloe Pathways Park to celebrate the return of the Countdown Public Art Project to the Ottawa Valley with a free outdoor concert. Above: ReDefine Arts Artistic Co-Director Anna Camilleri speaks at the Countdown Life event in Killaloe Pathways Park on June 13th. (Photo: Maureen MacMillan)
Hosted by ReDefine Arts the concert launched the summer programming for the next iteration of the Countdown Public Art Project and returned audiences to the site of a unique public art installation featuring more than 100 community-created pebble mosaic “stepping stones,” unveiled in 2023. Set among the trees of Killaloe Pathways Park, the event celebrated creativity, connection, and collective action to create safer communities and work towards an end to gender-based violence.
Countdown is a community-driven public art project known for its pebble mosaic monuments and installations throughout Ontario, including works in Pikwakanagan First Nation, Combermere, Barry’s Bay, Killaloe, Eganville, and Pembroke. Since 2016, Countdown has engaged thousands of participants in creative activities that foster community connection, inspire dialogue, and support collective efforts to end gender-based violence. The current iteration of Countdown is produced in partnership between ReDefine Arts, the Community Resource Centre Killaloe, Watershed, and Ottawa Valley Community Arts.
Featuring performances from local singers and musicians the McLean Sisters, Constellations Community Choir and Lyra Ensemble, and poet Andy Trull, the atmosphere was joyful as people gathered together to take in the beautiful acoustic offerings of the artists.
“Countdown has never been only about monuments. It has always been about people. It has always been about what happens when people gather with intention and create together,” said Anna Camilleri, Countdown Co-Director.
The concert wrapped up at 5:30 pm with a final song from the Lyra Ensemble. Concert goers left with feelings of hope and excitement for the next Countdown events this summer.
The concert was preceded by a pebble mosaic workshop where 30 participants created 45 of their own 1 FT diameter pebble mosaics to keep or donate to a future public installation.
Quote from workshop participant: “The process of holding rocks in my hand and deliberately placing them into the sand to create a pattern was very meditative. My mind cleared and I felt so peaceful.”
Over the course of the summer more free community workshops will be hosted in the Killaloe, Eganville, and Golden Lake areas including, printmaking, tie dye and singing workshops. The summer programming will culminate in a mobile campaign titled Countdown Moves, where participants will join together along a planned route ending at the mosaic monument in Eganville. Participants will walk, paddle or cycle in community and make their voices heard to support an end to gender-based violence. Another free community concert will also be held to wrap up the summer. All are welcome to register for a workshop and join in this summer’s events.
For more information about Countdown and a complete listing of upcoming events, visit: https://linktr.ee/CountdownProject
Gansterer,A.,Media & Communications(16 June 2026) Community Concert Launches Countdown Public Art Project Summer Season [media release]