2026 - 2027 Gritty to Pretty Projects

News | Placemaking

2026 marks the 11th year for Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) 's 'Gritty to Pretty' Placemaking Grant Program.

In May, DHBC's Placemaking Action Team sifted through 27 applications and selected 15 projects to be funded this year. 

On top of this, we sponsored the Halifax Mural Festival in July, giving us another (extra) 14 murals scattered throughout Downtown Halifax.

2026 Picnic Table Murals

 

GRAFTON PARK 

food to table
Tiger Lillies by Marley Johnson   
the colour of motion
The Colour of Motion by William Froude  
tiger lillies
Food to Table by Mique Michelle

 

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP PARK

sleepy boy
Sleepy Boys by Jason Skinner         
playful
Playful Picnic Table by Emily Clark  
gathering
Gathering by Kassandra Lois      

        

RAYMOND TAAVEL PARK 

in every shape
In Every Shape, We Flower by Maddy Filipps 

       

2026 Murals

 

I Heart Bikes, 1549 Lower Water Street

the way we go
The Way We Go by Maddy Filipps   


Mary's African Cuisine, 1701 Barrington Street

tides
Tides of Tradition by Carmahn McCalla  


1660 Hollis Street  

moving forward 2
Moving Forward by Doretta Groenendyk

 

2026 Halifax Mural Festival in Downtown Halifax

Common Ground by Patrick Dyer Jalea
@reelstorypoastposter
@baltzers_arts
poster
poster
Willson (@w.ll_.n)
Alaskan Falcon
Shannon Long
@lovepaintlife
@bucko.blue
anya kaz
anya kaz
boma
peking don
LittleBrummie_SwadeOwens
LittleBrummie_SwadeOwens
LittleBrummie_SwadeOwens
LittleBrummie_SwadeOwens

Coming soon

Argyle Fine Art, 1559 Barrington Street   

Project Name: Sketch N' Stroll in the Neighbourhood 

 

5195 Blowers Street       

Project Name: From Here to There: II  by Jeighk Koyote  

 

1729 Barrington Street

Project Name: Freak Lunchbox 25th Anniversary Lighting Display

 

1549 Barrington Street

Project Name: Barrington at Blowers Illumination

 

1549 Lower Water Street

Project Name: I Heart Bikes: Lighting Up Our Love of Bikes & Art