In celebration of the legacy of Small Arms Limited, the historic Small Arms Inspection Building, and Mississauga’s 50th Anniversary in 2024, Stories of Lakeview & the Small Arms Inspection Building brought together a short documentary film and a photography-based art exhibition highlighting the city’s evolution and community spirit. Sixteen Mississauga-based artists responded to the thematic calls “Mississauga Then & Now” and “What Does Mississauga Mean to You?”, offering a rich visual and narrative reflection on place, identity, and history.

​

The project opened to the public on November 1, 2024, with an inaugural film screening, exhibition unveiling, and 1940s-era reenactment performances featuring dance, music, and storytelling. The exhibition was on display from October 23 to November 1, 2024 at the Small Arms Inspection Building.

​

The Film:
CreativeHub 1352 premiered The Stories of Lakeview & the Small Arms Inspection Building, produced by CreativeHub 1352 and created by Patti Jannetta Baker and Gabriella Bank. The film explored the historic role of the Small Arms site during World War II—where thousands of young women travelled from across Canada to contribute to the war effort—and traced the broader development of Lakeview into one of Mississauga’s most vibrant and creative neighbourhoods.

​

The Photography Exhibition:
Titled Mississauga Then & Now, the exhibition commemorated Mississauga’s 50th anniversary by capturing the city’s transformation from its industrial foundations to its emergence as a thriving, modern urban centre.

Audiences were invited to experience an evening of live music, storytelling, and reflection—celebrating Mississauga’s history, resilience, and enduring community spirit.