Stina Baudin began a new public artwork on Saturday, July 18, 2026, by applying a night‑sky mural to the roof of a 19th‑century barn in Quebec’s Eastern Townships. The piece is intended to draw attention to the region’s Black history, which has been largely forgotten in local narratives.
The barn, dating from the 1800s, serves as a historic canvas for Baudin’s expansive depiction of a dark sky punctuated by stars. By situating the mural on a structure that has survived for more than a century, the artist connects the visual representation of the night sky with the long‑standing, yet under‑recorded, presence of Black families and individuals who have lived and contributed to the Eastern Townships.
Baudin’s choice of a night‑sky theme underscores the idea of overlooked stories emerging from darkness into view. The mural’s placement on the barn roof ensures it can be seen from the surrounding landscape, inviting residents and visitors alike to contemplate the hidden layers of the area’s cultural heritage.
The Eastern Townships have historically been home to a Black community whose contributions to agriculture, trade, and local culture have received little acknowledgment in mainstream histories. Baudin’s work aims to rectify that omission by providing a visible reminder of the community’s roots in the region.
Local officials and cultural groups have expressed support for the project, noting that public art can play a role in reshaping collective memory. The mural is expected to remain on the barn roof for the foreseeable future, offering a lasting visual cue that encourages further research and discussion about Black heritage in the area.
Baudin’s initiative adds to a growing movement of artists using public spaces to highlight marginalized histories. By turning a historic barn into a night‑sky tableau, the project seeks to make the forgotten narratives of the Eastern Townships’ Black residents more visible and acknowledged by all who pass by.