Outdoor Murals Revitalize St. John’s Historic District
A wave of public art projects is transforming the city’s oldest neighborhoods into colorful canvases — and drawing crowds along the way.
Published: June 16, 2025 at 01:11
By: By Jasmine Clarke, Tundra Bulletin
The historic district of St. John’s, Newfoundland, is undergoing a colorful transformation thanks to a city-backed mural initiative that has brought public art to aging brick facades and alleyways. What began as a small pilot project has evolved into a community-wide celebration of local identity through large-scale, outdoor artwork.
Over the past year, more than 25 murals have been installed across downtown buildings—each one reflecting the region’s culture, history, or natural beauty. Subjects range from stylized fishing boats and jellybean row houses to portraits of Mi’kmaq elders and seafaring folklore.
Local artist Ethan Doyle, whose massive piece titled 'Signal & Salt' stretches across the side of a former cannery, says the program is about more than beautification. “This is our way of telling stories that weren’t in the textbooks,” he says. “Stories rooted in weather, music, and people.”
The project is coordinated by ColorLine, a nonprofit arts organization that partners with building owners, youth apprentices, and Indigenous artists. Murals are approved by a curatorial panel and designed with input from neighborhood residents, ensuring the work remains authentic and inclusive.
Funding has come from a mix of municipal arts grants, tourism boards, and private sponsorships. Business owners have noted an uptick in foot traffic and social media exposure, crediting the murals with revitalizing underused areas and attracting both tourists and locals.
Guided mural walks are now a regular feature of the city’s cultural calendar. Equipped with QR codes and interactive maps, these self-paced tours allow visitors to learn about the artists, techniques, and stories behind each piece—turning city streets into an open-air gallery.
Youth involvement is a cornerstone of the program. High school students from the area participate in summer workshops, learning design, spray techniques, and community engagement. For many, it’s their first foray into public art—and a source of visible pride.
Not all feedback has been positive. A few residents expressed concerns about certain murals being too abstract or modern for the traditional character of St. John’s. Organizers have responded by adding historical context signs and increasing community review stages.
Despite differing tastes, the overall reception has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. The murals have sparked local dialogue, neighborhood cleanups, and even spurred adjacent building owners to pursue renovations of their own.
As the program enters its second year, organizers are already planning to expand into nearby towns. If the vibrancy of St. John’s is any indication, Newfoundland’s visual renaissance is just beginning—and it’s being painted one wall at a time.