The City of St. John’s has been approached to partner with several arts organizations, namely Eastern Edge Art Gallery (lead organization), with Riddle Fence, Lawnya Vawnya, and the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, to carry out a public art (mural) project in St. John’s. The theme of the artwork will be a recognition of frontline/essential workers, specifically a recognition of their important work throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this partnership the City is leveraging its annual public art programming, engaging community organizations, creating a hopeful and buoying piece of artwork, and developing an important project that will help in expressing gratitude for and acknowledging essential workers in our community and beyond.
The total contribution from the participating arts organizations will be $9,000 and the financial contribution from the City will not exceed $18,000, for a total maximum investment of $27,000 for which funds have been budgeted.
City staff will assist Eastern Edge as necessary with convening the aforementioned committee and finalizing of the RFP for circulation.
Discussion also took place on what, if any, maintenance can be done on existing murals to which it was noted that in most cases it is less expensive to replace the mural than repair it. The matter, however, is under review.