Imperial Oil’s Sarnia site has wrapped a large storage tank near the Indian Road overpass in a Sarnia-themed mural, part of a project intended to showcase the city’s waterfront and outdoor character. The work, produced in collaboration with local artist Kennady Rayn (Osborne) of Seventh Rayn Design Co., was installed as a decal in sections and visible to motorists on Indian Road while final pieces were put in place.
Local artist, industrial canvas
The concept began roughly a year ago, according to Imperial Sarnia’s Public and Government Affairs Manager Kristina Zimmer. She said the company constructed the new tank near the overpass and saw an opportunity to feature artwork that expresses “the spirit of Sarnia.”
“When we were constructing the tank, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to showcase something that essentially captures the spirit of Sarnia.”
Zimmer said Imperial first worked with Rayn last year on the company’s turnaround logo and reached out to her again for the mural. Rayn’s design incorporates local elements — the waterfront, a sunset, the Blue Water Bridge and a blue heron commonly seen at Canatara Park — with the intention of connecting the industrial site to familiar Sarnia imagery.
Technique and timeline
The mural was not painted directly on the steel surface. Zimmer described an intricate process: the artist paints on canvas, a specialty photography method is used, and a sign company produces a printed decal that is applied to the tank in pieces. Installation began recently but was delayed by heavy rainfall.
As of Sept. 10, installers had completed roughly one-third of the decal, with about 60 feet of work remaining. Zimmer said the installation started the previous week and that, because the tank site is not open to the public and is adjacent to a busy roadway, Imperial plans an off-site unveiling in early October. At that event the company will display the original painting and photos of the installation for residents to view.
Visibility and community context
The mural will be immediately visible to drivers and passengers travelling Indian Road. While the tank itself remains within an operational industrial site and inaccessible to the general public, the artwork is intended to create a visual bridge between the city’s industrial landscape and its natural and recreational assets.
For Sarnia residents, the project is notable for several reasons:
- It involves a local artist whose work will be displayed on a large piece of industrial infrastructure.
- It places familiar Sarnia landmarks and wildlife in a public, roadside setting.
- It demonstrates an industrial operator using public-facing artwork to shape local perception of a working site.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Artist | Kennady Rayn (Osborne), Seventh Rayn Design Co. |
| Location | Imperial tank near Indian Road overpass, Sarnia |
| Installation status (Sept. 10) | About one-third complete |
| Feet remaining | Approximately 60 feet |
| Public unveiling | Planned off-site event, early October |
Imperial’s choice to use a decal rather than direct painting reflects practical and safety considerations common at active industrial facilities. The method also allowed the company to retain the original painted canvas for exhibition at the planned unveiling, Zimmer said.
What it means for Sarnia
Public art on industrial structures is increasingly common in communities that balance heavy industry with residential and recreational uses. In Sarnia, where petrochemical facilities and the waterfront sit in close proximity, the mural is a visible example of local partnerships between industry and artists to foster a sense of place.
While the tank remains within a restricted site, the artwork will be part of the visual experience of commuting and visiting along Indian Road. The off-site unveiling will offer residents a chance to see the painting up close and to learn more about the project and the photography and sign-making process that brought it to the tank.
Further details on the unveiling location, time and any public programming were not provided; Imperial has said it will present the original artwork and photographs at that event.
