About
Buckets & Borders is an initiative founded on the principles of unity through basketball. In summer 2024 they collaborated with Halifax community leaders, Canada Basketball and the Halifax Regional Municipality to restore three basketball courts located in the Uniacke Square community in Halifax’s North End. The restoration included new asphalt, rims, backboards, and an on-court mural on each court designed by me.
Results of youth and community consultation revealed that many people wanted to see the colours red, green, black and yellow incorporated into the court designs – colours associated with Pan-African unity. As a historically Black neighbourhood with deep African Nova Scotian roots it felt right to use this colour palette.
Geometric type and African symbolism
Using squares as a base design, I created a custom typeface for the Squaretown Courts logo and incorporated various Adinkara symbols to create the patterns on each court.
Bi nka bi: symbol of peace and harmony
Eban: symbol of love, safety and security
Fihankra: Typical of Akan (Asante) architecture, the communal housing compound has only one entrance and exit.
Nkonsonkonson: A reminder to contribute to the community, that in unity lies strength
Top courts
Lower court
