More art will be coming to downtown Creston following the call for mural artists to submit proposals.
The wall between the Source and Panago is blank, but not for long, as the Town of Creston has decided to put up a mural.
Brandy Dyer, communications coordinator with the town, says council is looking to add more art to the downtown core, and this is a big step.
“There’s a big wall there, and we’re hoping to go through the proposals. We really want to pick something that’s bright, colourful, and graphic.”
With the focus on beautifying the main street, Dyer says adding the mural to the bare wall will check multiple boxes.
“Art brings economic growth to our town as well because businesses love to come to towns that are artsy and vibrant. Art can also speak as a tourist attraction. So it brings visitors to our town. It makes them want to stop and take pictures, things like that.”
With Creston celebrating its 100th birthday this year, the town is looking for a mural centered around the centennial.
Dyer says this can be open to interpretation.
“There might be a whole bunch of historical pieces of Creston, and then the mural makes up the last 100 years. Or, maybe it’s an Indigenous artist who comes forward with a concept about reconciliation. I guess whatever centennial means to that artist is what it’ll be.”
Although the space where the mural will go is bare, surrounding it and blocking parts of the wall are two trees.
One of the trees may have to come down, but the other is bright and vibrant.
Dyer says they would like artists to incorporate the trees.
“We really want to leave those trees there, but they do take up a lot of the wall. So we’re hoping that the concept that the artist comes up with can encompass those trees or work around those trees or incorporate them even into their design.”
Lastly, although they are hopeful local artists will submit proposals, they would like a professional muralist.
“As usual, we’d always love for it to be a local artist, but anyone can apply. They can come from anywhere. We would prefer, we would love somebody if it was local, but although there are a lot of artists in our community, there are not as many mural artists. You can be a really good artist, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to translate well to a mural. So we really want a professional mural artist.”
Those interested can apply on the town’s website.
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