In 2015, DHBC launched a Gritty to Pretty beautification program to award a limited number of grants for beautification projects located in Downtown Halifax.
Gritty to Pretty includes three grants: Open Grant for any great beautification initiative, one specifically for Façade Lighting, and one for Murals. These projects contribute to DHBC's beautification efforts to make Downtown Halifax welcoming to locals and visitors alike. Learn more about the program here.
Self-Guided Downtown Art Tour
Have your camera ready and explore all the beautifcation projects in Downtown Halifax. You are welcome to start your tour anywhere, but our tour starts in the South End of Downtown Halifax and moves into the Downtown core.
Before you start, grab a coffee or cold drink from Rousseau Chocolatier, 5151 South Street, or Trident Booksellers and Cafe, 1256 Hollis Street.
Flower Lights, Peace and Friendship Park (Barrington & South streets)
- Flower lights on light poles as an expansion of seasonal lighting program
- Best seen at night
Victoria, Roman Goddess of Victory, 1221 Barrington Street:
- Mural completed in early 2020 by local artist Mike Burt (@princefuze)
Halifax Distillery Mural, 1668 Lower Water Street
- Mural depicts rum-running boats tied at dockside in the early morning
- Artist Jake Sibert used existing elements on the wall as part of the scene
The Brewery Market Facade Lighting, 1496 Lower Water Street
- Facade lighting
- Best seen at night
Rio Abajo Rio: The River Beneath the River, 1583 Hollis Street
- This mural is the second in a series of murals inspired by Pikola Estes interpretation of the tale "la llorona"
- Artist: Jacoba Niepoort (@jacoba_niepoort)
- Group: Rad Consulting, Navid Saberi, and Jacoba Niepoort
Park and Art, Metro Park, 1556 Hollis Street
- Original Art in the parkade to transform an otherwise dark or drab wall into a wall filled with colour and creativity.
- Artist: James Janssen
- Group: Argyle Fine Art and The Hardman Group Limitied
- There are 5 murals, one on Granville level, and 4 more on floors 4 & 5
Urban Character Mural, 1557 Barrington Street (at Blowers)
- Artist Jason Skinner (@jason.a.m.skinner)
- Starfish Properties and The Loop
Ocean Optometry Facade Lighting, 5240 Blowers Street
- Facade lighting
- Group: Ocean Optometry
- Best seen at night
Lighting Our Past, 1521-1531 Grafton Street
- Historic facade lighting
- Group: Oakport Limited/A.S. Developments
- Best seen at night
#PlayMeHFX Xylophones, Grafton Park (former Halifax Memorial Library at Spring Garden & Grafton Streets)
- Flower xylophones brighten up Grafton Park.
- Group: PBJ Design Society
The Stubborn Goat Façade Lighting and Mural, 1579 Grafton Street
- The mural makes use of iridescent paint, creating both a daytime and nighttime experience.
- Artist Jake Siebert, and The Stubborn Goat
NSCAD Academy Wall, Market Street between Sackville and Prince streets
- A beautified retaining wall with a composition of fantastical African birds and beasts and their North American cousins
- Artist/Group: Alex Mbuga Thuku (artist) and NSCAD University
Parametric Bench, Rogers Square
- The Parametric Bench represents a space that is meant to be shared and thus promotes the idea of a connected community and bring people together. The bench's unusual style of curved layers will be sure to draw attention. The curves of the bench are meant to mimic the ripples of the ocean and represent the city's connection to the harbour
- Artist/Group: Duncan Armour (artist) and PBJ Design Society
eSpace Building Facade Lighting, 1652-1656 Barrington Street
- Facade Lighting
- Best seen at night
Daisies in the Wind New Facade, 1717 Barrington Street, (at Prince and Barrington streets)
- Inspired by the street art of Tom Bob, this project transforms the urban infrastructure into something that brightens the street and brings a smile to the passersby.
- Artist/Group: Jason Skinner (@jason.a.m.skinner) (artist), PBJ Design Society and Greenwood Lane
Cabot Building Facade Lighting, 1725-1727 Barrington Street
- Historic Facade Lighting
- Best seen at night
Freak Lunchbox Mural Facade Lighting, 1729 Barrington Street
- Facade Lighting by the Gritty to Pretty program
- Artist/Group: Freak Lunchbox
- Best seen at night
St. Paul's Facade Lighting, 1684 Barrington Street
- Historic Facade Lighting
- Best seen at night
The Pearl on Barrington Street, corner of George and Barrington Streets
- Created through Sculpture Nova Scotia by sculptor Miro Davis
- "When you sit on the pearl, her shell forms a throne behind you, creating a protective shelter that invites contemplation." - Miro Davis
Fountain Campus Accent Lighting, Granwille Mall/5163 Duke Street
- Historic Facade Lighting
- Group: NSCAD University
- Best seen at night
Ferry Boat Lane, Lower Water Street
- Facade Lighting
- Best seen at night
Now that you're done the tour, why not find a patio somewhere on the waterfront to enjoy a nice cold drink and a hearty meal after all that walking? Check out Stone's Throw Patio at the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, The Lower Deck, Salty's Restaurant, Pickford & Black, Murphy's On the Water, Stubborn Goat Beer Garden, Waterfront Warehouse and more. More restaurant options here.
HERE'S MORE PUBLIC ART TO CHECK OUT DOWNTOWN:
- Vytaiemo, Peace and Friendship Park (statue)
- The Emigrant Statue, Halifax Seaport
- Women War Volunteers, Halifax Seaport (sculpture)
- Samuel Cunard Statue, Halifax Seaport
- Lower Water Mural, Lower Water Street
- Sailors' Memorial, Sackville Landing, Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk
- Wave, Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk (sculpture)
- Bearly's Bar & Grill, 1269 Barrington Street (mural)
- Blowers Street Alley, 5228 Blowers Street (mural)
- The Black Market, 1545 Grafton Street (mural)
- Porous Light, Argyle Street (sculpture)
- The Whale, Rogers Square (sculpture)
- The Cenotaphy War Memorial, Grand Parade
- Custom House Lions, Granville Mall (sculpture)
- Origins, Ondaatje Courtyard, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (sculpture)
- Celtic Cross, George Street
- Art Mural Wall, waterside of the Halifax Marriott Harbourfront Hotel, 1919 Upper Water Street
- 'Fountain', and 'Get Drunk, Fall Down', the Drunken Lampposts, Halifax Waterfront
- Passage, Halifax Waterfront (sculpture)
Check out our other Trails: