Love Your Laneway project splashes art across Midland
Now, when you stroll down Butter Tart Lane, you'll be participating in the Love Your Laneway initiative that's adding a splash of colour to Midland's Downtown.
As part of the Love Your Laneways project, fifty-two mini murals were commissioned by the town of Midland and painted by Simcoe County artists.
The 2' x 2' paintings were installed in two downtown walkways and additional murals will be mounted at the harbour.
"It's great to see the fabulous reinvention of these once-neglected spaces into a bright, inviting entryway to our beautiful downtown," said Mayor Stewart Strathearn.
"This project has been in the works since 2020. We are excited to see it come together with the artwork now installed and look forward to seeing additional enhancements to complete this transformation."
With a $39,000 grant from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, Midland's project included:
- Naming of the two downtown walkways with community input
- Installation of fifty-two 2'x2' mini murals
- Vinyl wrapping of the seven meter boxes on the light posts and the five traffic light pedestal cabinets on King Street featuring artwork created by local elementary and secondary school students
- Installation of planters, benches, and bike racks
- Installation of additional lighting
- Installation of bollards along the laneways is in progress
In 2020, Midland commissioned mini murals to create an outdoor art gallery on the King Street Rejuvenation construction fencing and to welcome shoppers to the downtown during the first summer of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While originally meant to be a temporary art project, town staff decided that these paintings would be permanently installed within the town. Additional mini murals were commissioned in the Fall of 2021 to add to the existing collection.
"Our downtown is already special for so many reasons, including the many historical murals that we have. We hope that residents and visitors enjoy the new public art when they shop and dine downtown," said Karen Mealing, Midland's manager of culture and community.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.