The project designer was Viola Mueller of DesignSmarts; the project administration manager was Allyson Wenzowski of Publicity Works.

The installation in the Airport’s departure lounge and entrance hallway showcases the Bruce Trail, Niagara Escarpment and Hamilton and area artists like Duncan Aird, Scott Barnim, Magda Buist, Paull Rodrigue, Lynn Macintyre, Louise McCann, Chris McGregor, Jason Freiburger, Barbara Freeman, Shirley Elford, Shu- Chen Cheng, Paul Simon, Janusz Wrobel, Stephen Landers and Donn Zver, among others.

“The installation incorporates aspects of the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment in a visual panorama to engage the traveller,” said Mueller. The unifying element is the tree as the tree is present on both the Bruce Trail and in the city of Hamilton through which the Bruce Trail passes.”

Each piece in the installation is labelled with the artist’s name and location. Didactic panels, mapping, Bruce Trail signage and striated stone on column and wall areas evoke the Bruce Trail and Niagara Escarpment as it passes through Hamilton. As well, art display pedestals within various I-beams use the architectural element in an unexpected manner.

A steel tree in the centre of the lounge pays homage to Hamilton’s past industry as “steel town,” art canvases on the branches reference Hamilton’s movement into the arts and culture sector, and fabric and metal leaves suspended from the ceiling evoke the wooded trails along the Niagara Escarpment.

The exhibit includes ceramics, glass, wood, prints, photographs, and landscape plantings with a variety of live trees and plants.