Quinpool Road in Halifax welcomed 19 new murals on Saturday with live performances, face painting and games.
The murals are part of the second Halifax Mural Festival.
In addition to the murals in Quinpool, there are 13 new murals on Grafton Street, nine along the waterfront and a new installation on Gottingen Street, according to festival organizer Michael Burt.
Burt, who is a full-time artist, said about 25 murals were created at the previous festival.
The walls were made available by local businesses.
Despite the rainy days, the artists have been working since Monday to get their murals ready.
Burt said the purpose of the festival is to beautify the city and give artists the opportunity to build their portfolio by exhibiting their work to the public.
Burt said he was grateful for his continued association with the local business association.
“I hope to continue at Quinpool for a long time,” he said. “We’re going to start doing some touring here because, with the two years combined, we now have over 30 murals on this trail.”
Burt said he runs most of the festival himself. Choose artists based on word of mouth and through contacts.
He said he has an “eye for it” as an artist. Once she has identified potential participants, she follows up to determine if they want to participate.
He said he plans to develop tours so people can learn more about the artists involved and their murals.
Montreal-based artist Bosny created two murals for the festival: one about Quinpool as his main project and another about actor Elliot Page on Grafton Street.
Bosny, who has done murals elsewhere, said the Halifax festival is one of his favorites.
“The people are welcoming,” Bosny said in French. “The energy is positive. The other artists are friendly. Always a pleasure. It’s a nice community and the murals are great.”
He said he chose to paint Page because he wanted to put someone on the wall who came from Halifax so the community could see it.
Karla Nicholson, chief executive of the Quinpool Road Mainstreet District Association, said the festival attracts media attention and brings a lot more people to the streets.
“I want to see her again next year and I want to see her all over town again.” Nicholson said. “It’s all about Halifax.”
