Dartmouth Cove Art Mural Project

Story

I enjoy the fact that I’m living in Dartmouth. We have all this beautiful artwork downtown. On the Dartmouth Harbourwalk Trail, there are four buildings that contain artwork. The project started in summer 2007 with the support of Waterfront Development, Downtown Dartmouth and Halifax Regional Municipality. For driving directions to the artwork, click on the car icon. The above artwork is by Christian Toth, Omen 514, Foes, Fuze and DFA Crew.

Artwork by Estr, Space5, Yron, Sea and Omen 514

I really enjoy this building due to the fact it has a nostalgic cartoon character: Bert from The Raccoons. The three pigs’ names are Lloyd, Floyd and Boyd. The last character on the far right is Cyril Sneer.

Artwork by Lucas Ridgeway and Luke Norrad

The drawing on the left side of the building is titled “The Search For The Lost Skull.” The drawing on the right is about a little boy entering different worlds. The suspension bridge represents Angus L. Macdonald Bridge in Halifax.

Note that most of the drawings I’ve shot have deteriorated over the years. I spent endless hours trying my best to restore the drawings back to the original. Below is an example of one of the drawings I restored.

Before

IMG_9564_before

After

YachtSmiths International by Kevin Giberson

Artwork by Sharon Hodgson, Anna Horsnell Wade, Jenni Blackmore, Xiodan “Dinah” Jiang, Maggie Boyd, Laurence Doyon, Laura Dawe, Garry Neill Kennedy, Jason Skinner, Stefan Hancherow, Erik Armbruster, Shawn Bullen, Frankie Macaulay, Adam Fleiger, Christian Toth, Dan Burt and Luke Norrad

The above drawing contains 17 individual drawings from various artists. You can click on this link to see photos of each of these drawings, and other additional artwork.

Rockall by Anna Horsnell Wade

This last drawing is titled “Rockall” by Anna Horsnell Wade. Summary about her artwork is below.

“In the eastern waters of the North Atlantic, a great solitary rock rises from the depths of the ocean to stand alone against the elements. This is Rockall and I felt no better tribute exists to our Maritime fortitude and sea-going history.

For my submission to the Dartmouth Cove Mural project, I considered all manner of iconic symbols of ship and seafarers. In the end however, I chose a stylized tribute to the natural marine world as I feel we must never lose sight of that which is essential to our survival. In this design I honor the mammals, the fish and the birds with which we share this most crucial of ecosystems.

Against the centerpiece of Rockall, a great wave is thrown into the air in the shape of a gull, balanced in the background by a whale diving into the waves. Just below the water’s surface a school of fish glides on a current and in the sky, the moon rises as guardian of the tides.

My goals for the design were clarity, symbolism, and a call to social conscience.”

Stay update with WillyG Lounge by joining my Facebook page. Share your fascinating thoughts to info@willyglounge.ca

Art Project Info

HRM, the Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd. and the Downtown Dartmouth Business Commission partnered to commision marine themed murals for the 300 ft length of 2 Maitland Street in Dartmouth, facing the Dartmouth Habourwalk Trail. This initiative brightened this highly visable waterfront space while combatting tagging.

The project lead to many spin off murals in the area through collaborations between WDCL and artists.

The seventeen artists who’s work can be seen on 2 Maitland St include Sharon Hodgson, Anna Horsnell Wade, Jenni Blackmore, Xiodan “Dinah” Jiang, Maggie Boyd, Laurence Doyon, Laura Dawe, Garry Neill Kennedy, Jason Skinner, Stefan Hancherow, Erik Armbruster, Shawn Bullen, Frankie Macaulay, Adam Fleiger, Christian Toth, Dan Burt, Luke Norrad.

The far right hand side of the wall has been left open for artists to paint at any time. As a result the wall is in a constant state of change and experimentation for the enjoyment of artists and residence.

Visit www.halifax.ca/culture/CommunityArts/CommunityArtsArchive.php for info on other art projects.

Hyperlink Icon www.hopscotchhalifax.com