'Gritty to Pretty' continues to add vibrancy to Downtown Halifax.

Every Spring (since 2015), DHBC awards a limited number of 'Gritty to Pretty' placemaking grants to artists wanting to put their mark "on" Downtown Halifax.

On June 28, the 2023 ‘Gritty to Pretty’ grant recipients were selected and now, not even 3 months later, five projects are already completed. 

 

Finished Projects:

1. Beautifying the Garden by Friends of Raymond Taavel Park @Raymond Taavel Park, Barrington Street. 
This was a landscaping project that saw several types of perennials planted.

2. Tanisi by Peatr Thomas @Pier 22 Pavillion, Marginal Road.

3. Welcome To Argyle Street by ABSEN aka John McPartland @The Pint, Argyle Street.
The star of this mural is the vibrant red bird, a "House Finch." These birds are very social and can often be seen during the summer months in the Public Gardens. 

4. Community’s Flourish by Christian Toth @Laing House, Barrington Street.
This mural perfectly represents the organization behind the painting. Laing House is a charity that works to "empower youth who have lived mental health experience," so the butterfly symbolizes the transformation that happens inside those walls everyday.

5. Facade Lighting (for Sound in Time Mural) by John McPartland @Barrington Consulting Group, Barrington Street.

6. Black Joy by Daramfon Morgan & Victor Nwaokpani @Halifax Marriott Harbourfront

*Pictures of completed projects can be seen in the gallery below.


 

All grant applicants are eligible for up to $10,000 for each project. 

See the full press release from June 28, 2023 here

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If you have any questions please email DHBC's Placemaking Manager, Jonathan Goldson at jonathan@downtownhalifax.ca.

 

2023 'Gritty to Pretty' application forms can be found below.

Submissions for 2023 are NOW CLOSED - Come back in Spring 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To view Gritty to Pretty projects from the past years, take our Self-Guided Art Tour