Constellations of Care by Stephanie Babij
In March 2026, the Glebe BIA led a call for local artists to submit their vision for 2026’s largest mural project to date: a 2-storey, 25′ x 31′ elevated mural located at Your Credit Union at 14 Chamberlain Avenue.
The vision for this mural is to provide a warm welcome to all those who live and visit the Glebe while highlighting the unique features of this charming neighbourhood.
The BIA worked with local artist Stephanie Babij to develop the concept of welcome, community and the optimism of the future in Babij’s colourful and thoughtful creation, “Constellations of Care”.
Artist’s Statement
This mural celebrates the shared experiences that shape life in the Glebe and across Ottawa by highlighting the interconnected communities that exist all around us. The composition brings together imagery of local flora, fauna, and everyday neighbourhood moments to reflect the rhythms, relationships, and cycles that define this place.
At the heart of the mural are magnolia blossoms—an iconic feature found along the Glebe’s streets each spring. Their blooms serve as a symbol of renewal, growth, and the seasonal rhythms that bring the community together year after year. This theme of growth is echoed throughout the design, including a subtle visual nod to the concentric patterns of tree rings, representing the passage of time, resilience, and the layers of shared experiences that build a community over generations.
The mural also features a community of mallards, a familiar and recognizable presence across Ottawa, alongside scenes of daily life such as children walking to school, families gardening together, and neighbours playing soccer. These moments reflect the many forms that community takes—among people, within ecosystems, and across the spaces we share.
Expanding outward, the imagery gestures toward broader systems of connection, referencing communities of trees, people, and even stars and solar systems. By weaving together these elements, the mural reflects the idea that growth and belonging exist at many scales—from blooming flowers and the quiet record of tree rings to the collective life of a neighbourhood.
Through vibrant colour, flowing forms, and layered symbolism, the mural aims to create a joyful visual landmark that celebrates growth, connection, and the living fabric of the Glebe community.
“Welcome” is featured along the bottom of the mural in English, French and Algonquin languages to signal the essence of this piece and to offer a greeting to those who encounter this mural during their time in the Glebe.
About the Artist
Stephanie’s visual arts practice includes both solo and community-engaged murals, acrylic paintings, digital illustration, wood-burned art, and printmaking. In her work you’ll find elements of plants, animals, natural cycles, the spirit world, and the celebration of bodies. The pieces that she creates call people to honour their relationship with the land and welcome dialogues about climate justice and living ethically with creation.
The Glebe BIA thanks Your Credit Union Ottawa for the partnership and support in bringing this vision to life at 14 Chamberlain Avenue.
The Glebe BIA thanks the City of Ottawa’s Mural Design Fund for their support and collaboration in this project.
You can see the full inventory of Glebe murals here.
Photography & Videography by Blac Chariot Media
