DBIA Unveils Two Large-Scale Murals To Enhance Downtown Peterborough Streetscape

The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has unveiled two new large-scale murals to enhance the streetscape experience through public art.

Artist Julii McMillan next to her creation, “Monarch Monolith” outside Peterborough Square’s courtyard. It took her and assistant Samantha Chiusolo three and a half days to complete. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The murals are located just outside the Peterborough Square courtyard and on the corner of George Street and King Street along the Village of Thai building.

These art pieces serve as the DBIA’s renewed focus towards street art as a means to create an attractive downtown area.

The Peterborough Square piece is a monarch-themed mural created by artist Julii McMillan and assistant Samantha Chiusolo. It repurposed a large defunct pillar near the Market Hall entrance, below the clock tower. Described as being similar to a butterfly, the pillar has undergone a metamorphosis and now stands as a magnificent cylindrical art piece.

“Public art is powerful. It can bring people together over shared values, inspire pride and responsibility in the surrounding community,” said McMillan. “It brings colour and joy and moments of discovery for all ages when they stumble upon it. Public art is place-making. It asks us to stop and pay attention, to wonder and play a little more.”

Artist Katie Irwin took roughly a week to paint her “Boro” mural at the side of Village of Thai on the corner of George Street and King Street. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The other mural titled, ‘Welcome to The Boro’ is roughly 105 sq. ft. and has been installed to greet visitors and refresh the experience of entering the downtown. It was created by Katie Irwin who has had her work displayed at the First Friday Art Crawl and Art Gallery of Peterborough.

The mural displays Peterborough in its natural environment with the Otonabee River running through the image. 

“These two new murals will entice foot traffic and interest to the area. We were inspired by First Friday PTBO, which had great success with a mural by Kathryn Durst in Bankers Commons on Water street a few years ago,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to add more art to our vibrant downtown. Street art plays a vital role in nurturing safe and welcoming spaces by connecting people to public space while magnifying the profile of our local arts community.”

Both murals were funded by the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

The DBIA, alongside 36 other regional tourism organizations, have received $2.8 million in support for tourism relief in the Peterborough, Kawarthas and Northumberland regions.

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