The Downtown Timmins BIA is hoping new murals will inspire people.
Colourful paintings featuring plenty of outdoor scenes and the iconic McIntyre Headframe are decorating empty downtown storefronts.
The six sets of two posters were officially unveiled today and are helping to brighten up vacant stores, said Cindy Campbell, Downtown Timmins BIA executive director.
“Every time somebody stops and looks or gets closer to a business downtown, a vacant storefront, and they look in and see potential or they think ‘hey wait a minute if I put dressing in that window would I get the same exposure?’ All of a sudden that mom-and-pop business idea that was in the back of your head becomes a reality. If I can showcase my products like they’re showcasing what they’re doing, I have a chance at a business,” she said.
The initiative is part of the I HeART Main Street project sponsored by STEPS, an award-winning cultural organization.
"We chose the theme of living in Timmins, which of course includes a lot of outdoor activities, so each of them has water and a forest scene and you’ll also notice the headframe, which is iconic to Timmins,” explained Campbell.
Two artists painted the pieces. For the project, the BIA chose from a list of eligible artists provided by STEPS.
While they aren't local artists, Campbell said the BIA will share details for the next call out for artists so Northern Ontario people can apply.
“Unfortunately, Steps is not that well known in a sense. The work they’ve done has predominantly been in metro Toronto so a lot of the artists are from metro Toronto, however, their roster is opening up in the fall and they’ll be putting out a public call for artists. Based on Northern Ontario and especially Timmins’ participation, they’re specifically reaching out to Indigenous and northern artists to become part of the roster so their artwork can be shown across Canada,” she said.
The murals can be found at:
- 75 Pine St. S
- 85 Pine St S.
- 264 Third Ave.
- 221 Third Ave.
- 166 Third Ave.
- 123 Third Ave.
