A local artist is spearheading an ambitious project that would see the Upper Front Street Bridge in downtown Belleville covered in crochet.
Emebet Belete began the Bridging Communities initiative several years ago and has been working with a large group of volunteers to crochet squares that will eventually cover the bridge.
She was inspired by Filipino artist Pacita Abad who led a project to paint the Alkaff Bridge in Singapore in vibrant colours to transform it into a work of art.
Belete thought crochet would be a great way to bring people together to create a work of art in the city and dreamed of covering the bridge in squares of crochet.
She began her research in 2020-21, thanks to art research grants from the Ontario Arts Council and the City of Belleville.
Belete and a group of volunteers began crocheting squares using different types of yarn and testing them in the weather over a couple of years.
“Actually I even imported some yarn as far as Russia because you know there are more different kind of yarn. But, luckily the final winner is made in Ontario.”
Thousands of squares will be required to cover the bridge.
Crocheting for the project officially began in September 2023.
Belete says hundreds of people of all ages are contributing their time, crocheting squares with each being about 13 or 14 inches long.
Crocheting for the Bridging Communities project. (Photo: artwithpassion.ca)
Students from several local schools have been working on the project and over the last year Belete has been hosting workshops and crochet groups across the region.
“We already have created to cover the pillars so yay! I am so happy. But it’s massive, we still need more people. So we are still accepting more people to help out.”
Among the groups she hosts are a weekly crochet circle at the Quinte Arts Council as well as sessions at the Belleville and Quinte West Community Health Centre and events as far away as Kingston.
“I have students and adults participating from, like 10 years old so far to 83 years old. So it’s really for me about connecting all these people and organizations.”
Belete provides the yarn but crocheters can bring their own hooks.
No experience is necessary, as you can learn as you go during the crocheting circles.
Belete herself is a mixed media artist originally from Ethiopia who has also lived in China but she’s been crocheting since she was a child, learning from her mother and sister.
Bridging Communities has been a personally rewarding experience for her as she sees people come together to create some beautiful art.
“It’s not just like a regular crochet you think about. It’s something so special so I can’t wait like, really for people to come out and just see it.”
Children tell her they’ve taught their parents to crochet, others have said they’re happy to be carrying on a tradition they watched their mothers or grandmothers partake in.
Belete estimates the yarn for the project will cost about $30,000.
She’s received some grant money and is accepting monetary donations and donations of the appropriate yarn.
A gofundme account has been set up to accept donations.
But it will still be some time before we’ll be able to see the Upper Front Bridge covered in crocheted squares.
The bridge must first go through a multi-million dollar rehabilitation which the city has budgeted for in 2025.
Belete says it gives them time to get enough squares made for the project and she hopes they’ll be ready to put up the installation when the bridge repairs are completed.
She would love to see it becomes a tourist attraction for the area.
Belete hopes to create a book chronicling the experiences of herself and those involved in the project.
Belete is also one of three women who will be honoured at the Women Who Inspire Gala to mark International Women’s Day.
It’s being held March 8 at The Grand in Belleville.
More information on the Bridging Communities project and how to get involved can be found on Belete’s website artwithpassion.ca or through social media sites – bridgingcommunitiescrochet on instagram and Bridging Communities Crochet Project on Facebook.
