"Thanks for the Meal"
Honouring Niagara-on-the-Lake's farming community by creating permanent installations of GIANT "cut-out" fieldworkers, starting with "The Three Sisters."
Installation Date: September 2026
About
The Art
Click the letters to enlarge.
Oil on canvas. Each of the 3 paintings is 24 x 36", painted by Shayde Sandy.
The Three Sisters were painted with oils by Shayde Sandy, in conjunction with Ray Skye.
Fine artist Shayde Sandy is a multidisciplinary artist who is Haudenosaunee from Six Nations of the Grand River. Growing up, she was always fascinated by the arts. She was often colouring, painting, crafting, or dancing. Her grandmother and first teacher, Lois Porter, taught Shayde to always embrace her creativity.
Shayde's art is deeply influenced by her identity as Indigenous and life experiences on the reserve. Her goal is to broaden the understanding of the modern-day Native by sharing the beauty, humour, and complexities that make the reserve an iconic place.
“As artists and cultural consultants, it was deeply important to us to honour and share our Haudenosaunee stories surrounding the 'Three Sisters' with accuracy, care, and respect.
From the very beginning, you prioritized situating the “Thanks for the Meal” project within a thoughtful and authentic historical narrative. This reflective process led to many valuable insights and conversations, allowing us to build a connection while creating something truly special together.
Thank you again for the opportunity to share our culture and creativity with Niagara-on-the-Lake.”Sincerely,
Raymond Skye, Tuscarora Nation, and Shayde Sandy, Cayuga Nation.
Artists, L>R: Ray Skye, Ron Clavier, and Shayde Sandy.
"Your installation will be a great honour to the various cultures who’ve contributed to NOTL’s agricultural heritage, especially the Three Sisters by Raymond Skye and Shayde Sandy.”
Kelly Greene, a multi-media artist of Mohawk-Oneida-Sicilian heritage and a member of the Six Nations Reserve in Ohsweken, Ontario.
The Digitization
Before: Original paintings
After: final print-ready Images.
The sisters' paintings were photographed by Sonia Wilkinson. She then colour-corrected the images and made them a whopping 15 ft high at the tallest point. Sonia also digitally added leaves to the bases (copied from the artwork itself) and filled in some holes to add stability for the physical structures.
The final images are now complete after all parties, especially the artists, were happy with the results.
L>R: Sonia Wilkinson, Ron Clavier, Sister Squash, and Shayde Sandy.
The Printing & Structure
The images will now be printed onto a substrate that will withstand the weather and protect the art from bleaching under the sun.
Before that happens, though, the three 15 ft high structures need to be strong and stable enough to withstand the winters we have here in Southern Ontario.
More on those stages soon!
The Location of the Three Sisters
The Three Sisters will be installed on the eastern side of Niagara Stone Road, between the Hare Winery and Southbrook Organic Vineyards.
Click for Google Map.
Photo of Three Sisters Site in Niagara-on-the-Lake
St. David’s Hydroponics has enthusiastically permitted its land to be the site for the Three Sisters project’s “proof of concept” installation.
About
The Three Sisters Origin
The three sisters (corn, bean, and squash) is an Indigenous method of companion planting.
Corn provides the beans with support to reach the sun.
Beans provide corn with nutrients it needs lots of.
Squash provides shade to cool the earth and discourage uninvited guests.
Corn plants are typically grown in rows to easily access them.
The beans are planted at the corn's base.
Beans provide corn with nutrients it collects from the air and gives it to the corn. The corn provides the beans with a sturdy structure to climb up to reach the sun.
Squash is grown around the corn and beans **to cool the earth and prevent weeds and animals from creeping in.
Together, they help each other grow.
About
The Inspiration
Ron Clavier—inspired by California artist John Cerney's art installation of fieldworkers.
John Cerney and his art installation project.
Mr. Cerney has graciously given his approval of this project, and offered to provide advice on the many conceptual and practical aspects of bringing it to fruition.
"A large part of NOTL’s appeal is its history and tourism. I believe the artwork will connect the past with the present by identifying important historical people and events directly on the land where it occurred."
NOTL (Niagara-on-the-Lake) has historically been cared for, enriched, and strengthened by the wisdom and hard work of farmers and their cultures. Ron saw a way of connecting
"I also want to give local artists ownership of their historical and cultural contributions to the history of agriculture on NOTL.
"I hope the project will elevate our local visual artwork to the level of international importance, in much the same way the theatrical and musical arts have been attractions in NOTL to lovers of art and culture for ages."
Ron Clavier, founder of "Thanks for the Meal" and Art Gallery of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
About
Origin of the Name
"Thanks for the Meal"
The phrase “THANKS FOR THE MEAL” comes from the “Farmer’s Song” (1972) by MURRAY McLAUCHLAN.
McLauchlan is is one of Canada’s leading folk music artists. Contact has been made with Shantero Production, Inc. with inquiries as to whether Mr. McLaughlan might perform his trademark song at one of our project’s celebratory events.
Founding Members
Dr. Ron Clavier
Neuroscientist, psychologist, and artist is the creator of the THANKS FOR THE MEAL project.
W: ronclavier.com
Pictured with John Cerney in Cerney's California studio.
Clavier's colleagues on this project are:
Dr. John Simpson
President Emeritus of the University at Buffalo and past board member of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.
Dr. Simpson in picture with John Cerney who is showing how he installed his “Giant Highway Art." They toured his studio and various of his artistic installations.
Debbie Whitehouse
Artist and Assistant General Manager of Niagara Parks Commission (Retired)
Pictured with Ron Clavier.
Erwin Wiens
Owner of Erwin Wiens Vineyards and Deputy Lord Mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Ken I’Anson
Sales Engineer (Progressive Surface, Inc.)
Thanks to those who support our cause
Thanks to Our Local Support & Engagement
On March 4, 2026, the “Thanks for the Meal" installation team met on the Welland campus of Niagara College:
Photographer, Printer, N.C. Professor of Trades, Secretary, Engineer, Art Gallery Board members, N.C. Dean of Media, Technology, and Trades, and Sawmill Owners.
Support from our provincial and federal representatives.
Letters of support from Wayne Gates, MPP, Niagara Falls, and Tony Baldinelli, MP, Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Click the letters to enlarge.
Contact us
We are located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
You can reach us by filling out the form below.
We respect your privacy as though it were our own. If you have any concerns, please let us know.