The Project

The County of Huron with funding support from the Government of Canada's Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario commissioned five new murals between from 2022 to 2023 in the communities of Bayfield, Clinton, Exeter, Seaforth and Wingham.

The goal of the project was to enhance the cultural vibrancy of our communities and support ongoing tourism recovery in Huron County through public art. The new murals create new focal points in five towns and villages in Huron County creating renewed visual interest and excitement in visiting and spending time in our downtown cores.

The County of Huron wishes to extend gratitude to our project partners: The Government of Canada, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Municipality of Central Huron, Township of North Huron, Municipality of South Huron, Bayfield Centre for the Arts, Seaforth BIA, Wingham BIA, and members of the local selection committees who donated their time and energy to guiding the project in each of the five communities. Special thanks to all of the mural artists for contributing your considerable talent and creativity to the mural project.

The Murals

Bayfield
Location: 4 Jane St, Bayfield, ON N0M 1G0 (on North facing wall)

About the Mural
Huron County is famous for its spectacular sunsets and Pioneer Park in Bayfield is considered one of the best vantage points on Ontario’s West Coast to view one of these natural wonders. The depicts the colours and drama of an Ontario’s West Coast sunset. The mural also references he local flora and fauna found in he area, including the Great Blue Heron which can be found along the Bayfield River banks and the cheerful wild sweet pea.

Artist: Meaghan Kehoe
https://www.meaghanclairekehoe.com/

Project Partner

Bayfield Centre for the Arts

Seaforth
Location: 151 Main Street S. Seaforth (on North facing wall)

About the Mural
The mural pays homage to the history and settlement of Seaforth and the importance of the railway to the community’s prosperity. Seaforth was founded on the Guide Board Swamp. The prospect of a railway line drew the interest of land speculators to the area in the early 1850s. When the Buffalo, Brantford, and Goderich Railroad whistled through in 1858, the future prospects of the community changed. The grain trade was very important to the economic prosperity of the town. Seaforth was a noted grain-buying centre, and the main outlet for the northern cereal crop. At one time, firms were handling a million dollars, in 19^th Century currency, worth of wheat each season.

Artist: Robert Johnson
https://roberttheartist.com/

Project Partner
Seaforth BIA

Clinton
Location: 6 Isaac St, Clinton, ON N0M 1L0 (on East facing wall)

About the Mural
The mural tells the story of Central Huron. Known as “The Heart of Huron”, on the left page of the storybook in the centre of the mural includes a map of Huron County showing all nine municipalities in the County. The right page depicts the radar that can be found just over your shoulder to the south when you’re in front of the mural. This area played a critical role in World War II as a radar training base for the Allies. Agriculture is the largest industry in Huron County and the mural celebrates the importance of agriculture with the image of a tractor surrounded be a couple of our of our main crops. The natural beauty of Central Huron is also celebrated through the depiction of the Maitland River, local flora, and Ball’s Bridge, a designated built heritage structure and scenic photo backdrop, off in the distance.

Download the Artvive App to experience the true magic of this mural when you hold your phone camera up in front of the art. With the help of up-and-coming augmented reality technology, the murals will come to life and move on your screen.

Artist: Jasmn Pannu
https://www.jasminpannu.com/

Project Partner
Municipality of Central Huron

Exeter
Location: 400 Main Street S., Exeter (on South facing wall)

About the Mural
The mural depicts the abundant natural amenities found in South Huron. It’s depictions of water - the Ausable River, native plant species - Trillium and Coneflower, agricultural landscape and 8km. South Huron Trail speak to the enjoyment of nature and importance placed on environmental stewardship by the residents of Exeter and South Huron.

Artist: Stephanie Boutari
https://www.stephanieboutari.com/

Project Partners
Municipality of South Huron and Exeter BIA

Wingham
Location: 99 Kerr Dr, Wingham, ON N0G 2W0 (to left of entrance)

About the Mural
The Wingham mural places the values of community cohesion and social bonds at its center with depiction of entwined hands over the words “Stronger Together”. The importance of arts and culture to Wingham are captured in the images of Windham Town Hall Theatre, a live music venue, books by Nobel Prize winning author, Alice Munro, who is a Wingham native. The CKNX microphone is a nod to the story of CKNX radio, launched in Wingham in 1926 by “Doc” Cruickshank, and still operating today. In 1935, the station was officially licensed as commercial radio station CKNX. In the late 1940s and 1950s, the station's Saturday Night Barn Dance was one of the most popular and influential radio programs in Ontario. The mural also depicts the Maitland River and the shopping and dining available in the town of Wingham.

Artist: Abi Bos
https://erraticartworld.com/

Project Partners
Township of North Huron and Wingham BIA