Waterloo Region – Region of Waterloo Museums is proud to announce the opening of In this act of burial a series of public art installations exploring themes of public memory. Running from June 20 to September 21, 2025, the exhibit includes works by artists Kate Kamo McHugh and Maddie Lychek. In fall 2025, the exhibition will expand to fill the outdoor lightboxes at Schneider Haus with a series of images by artist Meghan Harder. 

The works are set up outdoors at Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum, Schneider Haus, and McDougall Cottage. In this act of burial takes inspiration from wheatpasted panels and public notice boards. By occupying public space, each art piece nudges the project of public memory work beyond the walls of the museum. 

“Region of Waterloo Museums are providing space for public art that invites viewers to think, talk and connect with each other,” said Karen Redman, Chair of the Region of Waterloo. “In this act of burial is a thought-provoking work that invites deep connection among residents. By bringing art into public spaces, we transform them into places of shared experience which fosters a sense of belonging. This work is an example of how we can experience history and heritage beyond museum walls.”

In this act of burial is curated by Shalaka Jadhav, co-director of Textile, a hyper-local arts collective based in the Waterloo Region. It emerged from a process of site visits, studio exchanges, and deep engagement with archival material.

“In this act of burial” is a phrase that comes from scholar Achille Mbembe's work on archives. It highlights how archives affix certain narratives while dampening others,” explains Shalaka. “Working from a mandate of cultivating place-responsive arts practices in Waterloo Region, In this act of burial brings forward some of the voices and stories that have been overlooked, by investing in arts infrastructure for local artists to speak directly into the permanent collections and archives at the Region of Waterloo.”

In this act of burial opens Friday, June 20, 2025, with installations at Schneider Haus, Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and McDougall Cottage.

Hours:

Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum and Schneider Haus:  Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

McDougall Cottage: Friday to Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m.

To learn more about In this act of burial, visit Regionofwaterloomuseums.ca/in-this-act-of-burial.

About the Region of Waterloo Museums

The Region of Waterloo Museums & Archives operates four experiential sites throughout Waterloo Region. Together, Doon Heritage Village, Schneider Haus, McDougall Cottage and the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum tell stories from this region through educational and public programming, events, and a collection of over 60,000 cultural belongings.