Public Art

Public art improves quality of life and wellbeing. It showcases local artists, helps to revitalize and beautify neighbourhoods, engages residents and visitors, reflects our histories and identities, and cultivates community pride. We invest in public art.

Opportunities

Art Procurement Program

Each year, the City issues a public call to individual artists and commercial galleries for submissions of artwork to be considered for purchase by the City for inclusion in the Civic Art Collection. Artwork in the collection can be seen throughout City Hall and other City buildings.

To apply, complete the Art Procurement Submission Form by 4 p.m. on the last Friday of each October.

Traffic Box Art Program

The Traffic Box Art program engages visual artists to design and execute painted artwork on traffic signal boxes. Transforming these boxes with artwork adds to the character of neighbourhoods, beautifies streetscapes and deters vandalism.

Artists are invited to submit their designs for consideration by completing the Traffic Box Art Application Form.

Civic Art Collection

Interested to learn more about our Civic Art Collection we have compiled through the Art Procurement Program? Check out past collections in the links below:

Become an Arts Juror

Interested in serving as a juror on the Grants to Individual Artists Jury or Art Procurement Jury? Complete the Juror Expression of Interest form.

Apply

Murals

We hire artists to create murals in neighbourhoods across the city, often in partnership with funding partners. These murals enliven and beautify public spaces while helping to reduce unwanted graffiti. The following are murals created in partnership with the City:

2025 Jeux du Canada Games Francophone

Location: Retaining wall at 220 Duckworth Street, overlooking the parking lot at the corner of Duckworth Street and Holloway Street

Artist: Anastasia Tiller

Year Completed: 2025

Partner: 2025 Jeux du Canada Games

Ktaqmkuk (Year of the Arts Mural)

Location: Near intersection of Harvey Road, Bonaventure Avenue, Military Road, and Garrison Hill.

Artist: Jerry Evans

Year completed: 2024

Partner: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

Come Home Year

Location: Near intersection of Harvey Road, Bonaventure Avenue, Military Road, and Garrison Hill.

Artists: Molly Margaret and Lilly Taylor

Year Completed: 2023

Partner: Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

William's Lane

Location: William's Lane

Artists: Craig Goudie, Julie Lewis, Samuel Mok, Katie Vautour

Year Completed: 2021

Honouring Frontline and Essential Workers

Location: 180 Blackmarsh Road

Artists: Molly Margaret, Amber-Lynn Thorne, Anastasia Tiller, Nelson White

Year Completed: 2020

Partners: Eastern Edge Artist Run Centre, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, Lawnya Vawnya, Riddle Fence, Avalon Mall and Crombie REIT.

in(habit)

Location: Solomon's Lane

Artists: Krystle Hayden, Jovana Randjelovic, and Jessica Waterman

Year Completed: 2019

Partner: Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

Ktaqmkuk – Msit No’kmaq

Location: Rawlins Cross

Artist: Jordan Bennett

Year Completed: 2018

Partner: Eastern Edge Artist Run Centre, The Paint Shop

image of the Great Fire Mural on McBride's Hill

Great Fire of 1892

Location: McBride's Hill, next to 238 Water Street.

Artist: Julie Lewis

Date Completed: 2017

Partner: Government of Canada, The Paint Shop

Opus

Location: George Street East Stairwell Mural

Artist: Sarah O'Rourke-Whelan

Year Completed: 2016

Partner: The Paint Shop

Victoria Street Steps

Location: 264 Duckworth Street

Artists: Kathy Oke

Year Completed: 2014

Partner: Resource Centre for the Arts/LSPU Hall

Fred Gamberg Mural

Location: 258 Duckworth Street, near Prescott Street

Artists: Derek Holmes and April Norman

Year Completed: 2011

Outer Battery Mural

Location: Retaining wall on Battery Road

Artists: Derek Holmes and April Norman

Year Completed: 2008

History of the Port of St. John's

Location: 350 Duckworth Street, near Prescott

Artists: Derek Holmes and April Norman

Year Completed: 2006

Partner: Government of Canada

Sculptures

The City has commissioned, provided land and/or partnered with artists and donors to introduce sculptures throughout the City. These works create meaningful points of interest for residents and visitors. The following are some works commissioned by the City: