Call Expressions of Interest: 150th Legacy Mural Commission

Call for Expressions of Interest: 150th Legacy Mural Commission
The City of St. Catharines invites professional mural artists and artist-led teams to submit Expressions of Interest for A Love Letter to a City: A St. Catharines 150th Legacy Mural Commission. Inspired by A Love Letter to a City, an original poem by St. Catharines Poet Laureate Shannon Kitchings, this landmark public art project is a key component of the City's sesquicentennial celebrations.

The City seeks a bold and impactful public artwork that reflects the stories, people, places, and shared experiences that have shaped St. Catharines over the past 150 years while looking toward the future. The selected mural will transform the north-west facing exterior wall of the Ontario Street Parking Garage into a significant public art destination and downtown landmark. The mural site is a highly visible concrete façade approximately 170 feet wide by 44 feet high and includes circular ventilation openings that must be thoughtfully integrated into the design.

Artists are encouraged to create contemporary, visually compelling works that celebrate community, connection, transformation, and pride of place.

Project Requirements

Artists are encouraged to explore themes related to the evolution and identity of St. Catharines, including:

Indigenous histories and enduring relationships to the land and waterways

The Welland Canal and its significance to city development

Shipbuilding, manufacturing, and industrial heritage

William Hamilton Merritt and the city's early growth

Harriet Tubman and St. Catharines' role in the Underground Railroad

The Garden City identity

Agriculture, orchards, and Niagara's fruit-growing traditions

Historic architecture and neighbourhoods

Arts, culture, music, and community celebrations

Diversity, newcomer experiences, and belonging

Innovation, sustainability, and future aspirations

Shortlisted artists will be provided with Love Letter to a City and asked to creatively integrate a phrase, excerpt, or thematic element from the poem into their final mural concept.

This opportunity is open to:

Professional mural artists

Artist-led teams and collectives

Applicants must:

Reside in Ontario and/or have strong connections to St. Catharines

Applications from Indigenous artists, Black artists, racialized artists, artists with disabilities, 2

SLGBTQIA+ artists, and artists from other equity-deserving communities are strongly encouraged.

Compensation

Project Budget: $50,000 CAD  (inclusive of artist fees, assistant fees, materials, equipment, permits, insurance, travel, accommodation, surface preparation, protective coatings, and all associated project costs).

Shortlisted artists advancing to Stage Two will receive an honorarium of  $1,500 CAD plus HST  to support concept development.

Selection Process

Stage One:
Expression of Interest

Artists submit qualifications and portfolio materials. No mural design is required at this stage. A Selection Committee will review submissions and shortlist up to five artists or artist teams.

Stage Two:
Concept Development

Shortlisted artists will develop and submit a detailed concept proposal. Selected concepts may be shared publicly for community feedback before a final artist is chosen.

Artists may propose mural concepts covering all or a portion of the available wall surface. Shortlisted artists will be asked to identify the proposed square footage of coverage and explain how the design responds to the architectural features of the wall.

Evaluation Criteria (Stage One)

Artistic Excellence

Quality and Relevance of Portfolio

Demonstrated

Experience with Large-Scale Projects

Project Understanding and Suitability

Submission Requirements

Submit PDF documents containing:

1. Artist Statement

Maximum 500 words describing artistic…