Located in the alleyway next to 50 Dunlop Street East
Designed and handcrafted in Barrie in the 1960s and 70s, Fab Trays were made by Hardy Glenwood Products, using designer fabrics sealed in a clear polyester composition and were carried in major department stores throughout Canada and the United States. At the height of their popularity 1,000 trays were made each day.
Though production of the trays ended in the 70’s they remain popular for their fun and funky patterns and have become a sought-after item by vintage and thrift collectors. To honor this fabulous part of Barrie’s history, the Downtown Barrie BIA commissioned 16 local artists to paint aluminum circles using inspiration from the original trays.
Fallen Leaves
“Falling leaves are a season and life cycle, it symbolizes growth and rebirth. I was amazed seeing those beautiful colours when I first experienced fall. I’m still getting to know Barrie, but from what I’ve seen, it is a growing city in terms of social, economical and fabulous/amazing artists. Just like the fallen leaves, Barrie is rich in colourful history, cultures and adversity, which the new generations will continue and live with, while things change and the fallen leaves have been blown by the wind.”
Read More“I am Noemi Manguerra, born in the Philippines and now currently working in Canada. I was a co-founder of Guhit Kulay (Draw Colors) – a migrant worker artists collective in Hong Kong in 2017. I took an art workshop given by Pintura Circle, a group of expat artists in Hong Kong which inspired me to establish the art group. I had my first international exhibition in 2018, “Beyond Myself”. A joint project of Goldsmiths University of London, Hong Kong University, Enrich HK and Keele University UK. The exhibition derives from art-based workshops with Filipino migrants in London and Hong Kong. Since moving to Canada, I’ve become a member of the PhilippineArtists Group of Canada”
The Mini Fab Tray Project
We were so honoured to have grade 5 students from Timothy Christian School create a mini version of the Fab Tray Project.
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This project was brought to you by the Downtown Barrie BIA and generously supported by Pratt Homes through their Art Builds Communities partnership.
The Downtown Barrie BIA acknowledges that the Business Improvement Area is located on the traditional land of the Anishnaabeg people. The Anishnaabeg include the Odawa, Ojbwe and Pottawatomi nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. The Downtown Barrie BIA is dedicated to honoring Indigenous history and culture and committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.
