Mural project aims to ‘enhance cultural appeal’ of downtown Gananoque
Colour and culture will soon abound in downtown Gananoque. The Gananoque BIA has secured funding to create murals centred around youth, through the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative — an investment from the Government of Canada to transform public spaces in response to COVID-19.
According to a release from the Gananoque BIA, the project will enhance the cultural appeal of the downtown core, connect youth with local artists, and provide them with a voice that will leave an impression on their community.
The Gananoque BIA Board of directors was able to engage local artist and teacher Mallory Bishop Brown, and artist Shane Goudreau of Kingston, to work with local youth in the development of murals to be placed in two separate locations within the BIA, according to the release.
In collaboration with her grade 7/8 students at the Gananoque Secondary School (GSS), Bishop Brown will be creating two 4×8 murals that will be displayed outside the local visitor centre at 10 King Street East. According to the release, her students will be involved with the creative process from concept phase to completion and are eager to share their voices and ideas.
Goudreau will be creating large murals that will be placed throughout the walkway that connects King Street to the Garden Street parking lot in the downtown core, the BIA stated. He will be working with the grade 9/10 art students at GSS and developing a concept based on their feedback and ideas. According to the release, he will be involving the class in his creative process and inviting them into his studio to see the murals come to life.
Throughout the duration of this project, the BIA said they will be sharing photos and videos that can be found on their social media account (Facebook and Instagram). According to the release, this will allow for the documentation of the process and share with the public the excitement and creative processes. Follow #GanBIAMuralProject for updates on the project.