It was in place for just three months, but when an art piece created to celebrate the community’s love for Acton was removed in January 2023, it felt like town’s heart was being ripped out.
The popular art piece, a giant red heart with the town’s name above it, was created out of metal by Limehouse artist Doris Treleaven. The ‘Love Acton Heart’ was installed in the parkette at the corner of Mill and Main streets in November 2022.
The centre of the heart features woven metal strands that allow people to attach love locks. However, concerns were raised about it falling over due to the weight of the locks. That led to it being removed, with a promise of it returning once a base could be created to support the weight.
The heart reappeared earlier this month, being reinstalled by the Town with its new base, and was officially unveiled for a second time Thursday morning.
“This embodies what I think is really the essence of the whole Town of Halton Hills. All of us are so passionate about our communities, our neighbourhoods, our towns,” said Halton Hills Mayor Ann Lawlor. “(Acton) has a vibe, it has a soul, it has a heart that is second to none. To have this here to demonstrates that, the heart is truly in the right place now.”
Treleaven was thrilled by the initial response to her work, and even happier to see it return. She said in its short time, it quickly became a landmark.
“It creates a focal point for Acton,” she said. “It’s a place people can come to take pictures, create memories and then come back in 20, 30 years and it will still be here."
Nancy Wilkes and Nicole Walker of Acton Optical commissioned the piece, approaching Treleaven to create something that would reflect residents’ pride in their town.
“The community has been so supportive of us over 40 years. This was our way of thanking them and giving some love back to the town, and show the pride we all feel in Acton,” said Wilkes.
.png;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)
