When I was asked if I would be interested in creating this year’s awards for Waterloo Region Community Foundation, my mind started to race with a whole bunch of ideas about the Grand River territory, on how really, it’s the connection point for this great community. I started to think of it as a well of knowledge, caring and sharing on how we pour ourselves into this diverse community that we call home. Where we really draw on that water that connects us all, that’s where the water droplets come into play here. It really is a part of us that we offer back into the community well.

The ideas flowed into each sculpture to make sure they were all different but balanced to support each other in this circle around the well or fire pit. Into each piece is carved out a teardrop shape, or as I like to call it, the inner flame of our hearts and soul. I would also like to mention that each droplet or flame is carved to mimic the Waterloo Region Community Foundation’s logo colours that we put back into our well or fire pit.

As we all carry an inner flame inside that helps guide us to do good things and keeping that flame together with everyone keeps the community strong. So, the fire pit is a community spirit for us to keep going, every single one of us to add a piece to that fire. It’s up to us to keep that warmth, caring, and light going to help guide others to do the same.

In this circle of friends brings the balance that we need to help support each other and be the bigger voice of people that cannot be heard.

Eric G. Martin
Artist
September 2025

About the artist
Eric G. Martin is of the Mohawk and Chippewa nations of Six Nations Reserve. A self-taught artist, he began stone carving almost 30 years ago, and has been creating stone sculptures from soapstone, marble, alabaster, gypsum, and limestone. Eric’s art can be found in private and public collections worldwide; most notably in Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto in their public, permanent viewing collection.

Find Eric on Instagram