10 YEARS OF GRITTY TO PRETTY

Since 2015, Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) has worked with over 50 artists and invested upwards of $500,000 into beautifying Downtown Halifax through 'Gritty to Pretty'.

Being the 10th anniversary for the placemaking grant program, the initial grant call-out (May 2025) included ten prioritized projects, all with pre-determined locations identified.

“We received 56 applications this year, double the amount from last year, and 20 of those applicants were brand new to Gritty to Pretty,” says Jonathan Goldson, Placemaking Manager, DHBC. “We believe this reflects just how much interest and creativity this program continues to inspire.”

Even MORE art!

“And due to the high volume of applications this year, and being our special anniversary, we were able to review additional mural applications from artists with pre-determined locations," says Goldson. "And I'm happy to share that after much deliberation, five additional mural projects will be funded this year. That's 15 public art installations in Downtown Halifax for 2025!"

To see what projects Gritty to Pretty has funded over the last few years you can scroll our galleries below.

To view all current public art in Downtown Halifax, take our Self-Guided Art Tour.

2025 Grant Recipients

Downtown Halifax Business Commission (DHBC) is pleased to share the 2025 'Gritty to Pretty' grant recipients and their completed projects. *BIPOC

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Jared Betts & Katharine Burns - The Port of Halifax Mural Project – ‘Beneath the Waves - The Dreamworld of the Blue’

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Emily Clark - I Heart Bikes Mural Project – ‘Joy Ride’ @Halifax Waterfront

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* Shane Song, Prince Churchill and Manjot Kaur - NSCAD University Mural Project – ‘The Story’ @1649 Brunswick

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* Boma Nnaji - CIBC Building Mural Project – ‘Welcome to Granville Mall’ @1809 Granville

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* Zoya & Layla Hussain – ‘For You - A Seat at the Table’ @Peace and Friendship Park

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* Daramfon Morgan - 'Return to the Centre' - @Grafton Park

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Shannon Long - 'Hello’ - @Grafton Park

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* Prince Churchill - 'Table Talk Stereo’ @Peace and Friendship Park

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Doretta David - 'Allies, Friends, Community’ @Raymond Taavel Park

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Mike Burt - 'Seaside Cityscape' @Hollis Street

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Jeighk Koyote - 'From Here To There' @Blowers & Barrington

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* Daramfon Morgan - 'Future Rythmns' @Waverley Inn on Barrington

In progress:
Heather Chisholm (CLC) & OSO Planning & Design - Open Project - Planters at the intersection of Lower Water & Sackville streets - 'Urban Meadows Project'

OSO Planning & Design – Open Project - Raymond Taavel Park - ‘A Place for Everyone’
Community Engagement for this project is taking place on Saturday, October 4, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Please note that this placemaking project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2026.)

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Jonathan Goldson, DHBC's Placemaking Manager, jonathan@downtownhalifax.ca or 902-423-5668.
To view all public art in Downtown Halifax take our Self-Guided Art Tour.
2025 Halifax Mural Festival

Gritty to Pretty was proud to once again sponsor the Downtown portion of this year's Halifax Mural Festival.

Location 1: The Art Hub - A Gritty to Pretty & Halifax Mural Fest Collab, 1600 Grafton Street
Jonathen Cruz @blazentattoo
Shannon Long @shannon.long.art
Slick Skills @slick.skills
Thiago Martins Dos Santos @thimartinsantos
Max @alaskan.falcon
Reno @re3noh
Swade Owens @swadeowens & Victoria Brumwell @vbrumwellart
Anisa Francoeur @anisafrancoeur
Daniel Burt @bunhundred
Donnie @pekingdon

Location 2: Halifax Marriott Harbourfront
Moon Spade Magic @moonspade_magic
Boma Nnaji @bomatheartist
Chris Noam @noam_noamski
Maddie Alexander @constant__craving & Sorry Sacha @sorrysacha

Location 3: The NEW Granville Park at the Cogswell Interchange (beside the new stage)
Nessy @nessyrt
Lorne Julien @lornejulien

To view all public art in Downtown Halifax take our Self-Guided Art Tour.