The Downtown Barrie BIA is using art to help revitalize the downtown core
Global News
The Downtown Barrie Business Improvement Association (BIA) has partnered with local artists in two projects to bring some vibrancy to some blank canvases downtown.
With one mural finished and another on the way, downtown Barrie, Ont., is getting a lot brighter, and those involved hope it helps residents take more pride and interest in the city’s downtown core.
The Downtown Barrie Business Improvement Association (BIA) has partnered with local artists in two projects to bring some vibrancy to some blank canvases downtown.
“Art helps us connect with each other and relate to one another. It creates community. It also helps us connect to our surroundings and encourages people to take ownership of public spaces. So we want to inspire people to explore and interact with their surroundings,” said Sarah Jensen, communications and public realm coordinator for the downtown Barrie BIA.
“The projects you’ve undertaken this year invest back in the community and help us to do more beautiful and safer downtown.”
The first mural, which the BIA is officially unveiling later this month, is by artist Bareket Kezwer and is strawberries made out of hundreds of hearts on Maple Avenue.
Kezwer created the mural with mentee and local artist Monica Loney.
“I knew it was the perfect project to start with downtown. The strawberries are known in a lot of cultures for their healing properties, and … the mural is a gift to the well-being of the downtown community,” Jensen said.
“The idea is helping people connect with downtown, and that’s creating shared landmarks and getting people to explore downtown. Having people walk around more, first of all, they will discover new shops and places to eat and the great things we have downtown.”
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