In 2020, local artist and NC alumnus Shaun O’Melia (Graphic Design, 2014) was short-listed from a group of more than 45 artists to design the winning medals for the Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games.
In the spring of 2022, the St. Catharines-based freelance designer behind Shaun O’Melia Design had his vision engraved into gold, silver and bronze, and carved into the history books.
“It’s not too often you get to work on a project that will be part of a legacy and play a role in Canadian heritage,” said O’Melia. “It was truly a one-of-a-kind project to work on and one that will forever be a staple in my portfolio.”
On April 28 as part of the 100-day-out countdown to the N22 Games, the medals – made by Canadian mining company Tek Resources Limited – were unveiled at Ravine Vineyards in St. Davids. The celebration was attended by members of the community and streamed live by NC’s Dutch Vandenberg and students in the Broadcasting, Radio, Television and Film Production program.
O’Melia was front and centre in the medal reveal video to highlight the important symbolism of his design.
“We couldn’t be more proud and excited to finally reveal the unique and inspiring design of our Niagara 2022 Canada Summer Games medals, as created by talented local artist Shaun O’Melia,” said Doug Hamilton, Board Chair of the Niagara 2022 Host Society. “The design of both the medal and the lanyard truly captures the spirit of Niagara, and it will undoubtedly provide the many deserving medallists from the 2022 Canada Games with an honour that they will cherish for years to come.”
“Shaun’s design is truly inspiring and it’s an acknowledgment of the Niagara College program and the Region,” said Hamilton.
O’Melia approached the medal design with humility and the utmost thoughtfulness. He explains how his time at Niagara College helped lay the foundation for his approach to graphic design.
“I’ve always been more focused on the ‘why,’ and the faculty at Niagara College emphasized the importance of incorporating meaningful storytelling elements to design works and adhering to proper design principles,” he said. “With this project it was particularly important to capture the essence and spirit of Niagara, all while paying tribute to the Indigenous stewards of the land. The idea was to ensure the design captured the sentimental significance of what it means to be a victorious Canada Games athlete.”
Photo courtesy of the Niagara 2022 Host Society.
The five key features incorporated within the design of the medal and its lanyard are:
- The 13 waves at the base of the medal represent the flow of Niagara Falls, Canada’s 13 provinces and territories, the 13 municipalities in Niagara that have come together to host the Games, and the 13 ceremonies of the moon celebrated annually by the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples — the original residents of Niagara;
- The sun, found behind the falls, represents its crucial role in sustaining life and in the growth of Niagara, along with the Games’ summer schedule;
- The varying depths and levels represent the Niagara Escarpment, one of the most prominent topographic features in North America and the backbone of Turtle Island; and
- The lanyard features a Two Row Wampum belt, inspired by one of the oldest treaty relationships between the original people of Turtle Island and Europeans.
O’Melia is humbled by this year’s crop of up-and-coming Canadian athletes who will compete for the chance to wear the medal.
“I truly hope the symbolic features will resonate with the athletes who reach the podium this year.”
The 28th edition of the Canada Summer Games, Canada’s largest multi-sport event, will take place August 6 to 21, 2022 and showcase Niagara on the national stage. Niagara College is proud to be the official Experiential and Digital Production Partner of the Games, with our students, staff and faculty deeply embedded in this transformational event that will inspire the next generation of Knights athletes, and leave a legacy in Niagara.
