Murals in Ontario's Southwest -- Before & After Shots
Over the past five years, our team at ‘young & free press’ has focussed on coordinating the installation of large-scale murals around southwestern Ontario. After the murals are painted, often we are asked for ‘before & after’ photos, as viewers are curious about how this kind of artwork helps to transform urban spaces. So, we thought that we should compile some of our favourite images to showcase the murals! Here we go …
In July 2023, artist Kevin Ledo and assistant Dave Todaro projected the image of the ‘Johnny & June’ mural on the north exterior wall at Budweiser Gardens in London. The mural celebrates the fact that Johnny Cash proposed to June Carter on stage during a concert in London back in February 1968.
The finished mural! Kevin Ledo adds his signature to the piece after completing the artwork.
Summer 2020 … Maddie King & Julie Couwenberghs from ‘young & free press’ watch artist Andrew Lewis begin the process of painting the ‘Heroes’ mural in downtown St. Thomas.
‘Heroes’ by Andrew Lewis … this landmark mural provides a remarkable backdrop for the Veterans Memorial Garden in St. Thomas. Find the artwork along Moore Street between Talbot & Centre.
The south-facing wall of the lifeguard office and public washrooms at the Municipality of Central Elgin building at Main Beach in Port Stanley. This photo was taken late in 2020.
Same building, but the north-facing wall … grey concrete, ready for a burst of colour!
In spring 2021, artist Stephanie Boutari transformed the building at Main Beach in Port Stanley with this spectacular mural.
Stephanie Boutari designed the mural by contemplating the relationship between human beings and the Great Lakes, and the artwork reflects the movement of water, sand, aquatic life and more. There is an augmented reality experience attached to the mural through the ‘Engage ARt’ app by EXAR Studios.
July 2022: Andrew Gunn and Maddie King of ‘young & free press’ stand beneath the former Michigan Central Railroad bridge in St. Thomas, home now to the beautiful St. Thomas Elevated Park, shortly before one of the concrete piers was transformed with a massive, 85-foot tall mural by artist Denial.
High in the sky! Mural artist Denial waves from the lift platform during the production of a new mural at the St. Thomas Elevated Park in summer 2022.
‘Newstalgia’ by Denial in St. Thomas. Find the mural at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Fingal Line.
Winter 2022 — blank wall on Kent Street in downtown Simcoe.
In spring 2022, artist Meaghan Claire Kehoe painted this incredible mural, titled ‘Spark Heart’, on Kent Street in downtown Simcoe. The design celebrates the connections between seasonal agricultural workers in Norfolk County and the local community.
May 2021: Nancy Deleary of Chippewas of the Thames First Nation stands with Andrew Gunn & Emily Stage of ‘young & free press’ in front of the west exterior wall at the St. Thomas Public Library. The wall is situated just above the outdoor reading garden at the Library.
‘All Are My Relatives’ by artist Nancy Deleary at the St. Thomas Public Library. This stunning mural emphasizes the importance of storytelling. Find an interpretive plaque on-site that includes a statement by the artist & an explanation of how the design connects with location.
Maddie King & Andrew Gunn of ‘young & free press’ in spring 2020 announcing plans for the new Westlake Evans Park in downtown St. Thomas. Note the blank wall in the background.
In May 2023, artist Arlin Graff painted this colourful mural as the backdrop for the new Westlake Evans Park in St. Thomas. The design features a beaver and a groundhog.
Andrew Gunn & Maddie King of ‘young & free press’ in the new Westlake Evans Park in St. Thomas. This photo was taken in summer 2023 as the park was being built. ‘Encontros Abstratos’ by Arlin Graff can be viewed in the background. Visit the finished space now next to the St. Thomas Public Library.
Maddie King & Andrew Gunn of young & free press standing along Dufferin Ave in downtown London with the north exterior wall of the Grand Theatre visible in the background.
In late August 2024, Ola Volo painted a spectacular new mural on the outside of the Grand Theatre in downtown London. Maddie King and Andrew Gunn of young & free press joined the artist for a photo toward the end of the project. See the finished piece in the image below.
Mural by artist Ola Volo at the Grand Theatre in downtown London, Ontario.
