168 Division Street Mural

Thank you for your feedback! Public engagement on this project has concluded. Please see the Engagement Summary tab for what we heard during consultation. Stay up to date on all City initiatives by signing up to received our news releases at CityofKingston.ca/Subscribe

The City of Kingston is working with Highpoint Developments on the creation of an exterior large-scale mural on a new residential development at 168 Division Street. A mural was identified as a community benefit through Section 37 of the Planning Act that permits the City to authorize increases in permitted height and/or density through the zoning bylaw for new developments in return for community benefits. This is the first public art community benefit project for the City of Kingston, supported by the Public Art Program.

The building and the site of the mural is located near the intersection of Princess and Division Street, also known as “the Hub.”

The mural aligns with an initiative called The Hub Project that brings public art to the area of Princess and Division Streets, as a gateway to downtown Kingston and nexus for multiple neighbourhoods. Extensive public engagement for The Hub Project was completed to scope the types and themes of public art for the area and to provide input and feedback on public art being developed, and a permanent artwork was recently installed.

For the 168 Division Street Mural, the City of Kingston is supporting the artist selection and process in alignment with its Public Art Policy. Highpoint Developments is funding the project and will own and maintain the mural once installed. Through an invited call for submissions, two Ontario-based professional mural artists were shortlisted by a jury to submit proposals for the project.  

See the Artists' proposals for the proposed murals and concept statements.

Have your say

  • Complete the artist feedback survey below by 4 p.m. on July 4.
  • Request a copy of the survey by calling 613-546-0000. (A postage-paid envelope to return the survey will be included).
  • Complete the survey by phone with City staff by calling 613-546-0000.

The City of Kingston is working with Highpoint Developments on the creation of an exterior large-scale mural on a new residential development at 168 Division Street. A mural was identified as a community benefit through Section 37 of the Planning Act that permits the City to authorize increases in permitted height and/or density through the zoning bylaw for new developments in return for community benefits. This is the first public art community benefit project for the City of Kingston, supported by the Public Art Program.

The building and the site of the mural is located near the intersection of Princess and Division Street, also known as “the Hub.”

The mural aligns with an initiative called The Hub Project that brings public art to the area of Princess and Division Streets, as a gateway to downtown Kingston and nexus for multiple neighbourhoods. Extensive public engagement for The Hub Project was completed to scope the types and themes of public art for the area and to provide input and feedback on public art being developed, and a permanent artwork was recently installed.

For the 168 Division Street Mural, the City of Kingston is supporting the artist selection and process in alignment with its Public Art Policy. Highpoint Developments is funding the project and will own and maintain the mural once installed. Through an invited call for submissions, two Ontario-based professional mural artists were shortlisted by a jury to submit proposals for the project.  

See the Artists' proposals for the proposed murals and concept statements.

Have your say

  • Complete the artist feedback survey below by 4 p.m. on July 4.
  • Request a copy of the survey by calling 613-546-0000. (A postage-paid envelope to return the survey will be included).
  • Complete the survey by phone with City staff by calling 613-546-0000.

Thank you for your feedback! Public engagement on this project has concluded. Please see the Engagement Summary tab for what we heard during consultation. Stay up to date on all City initiatives by signing up to received our news releases at CityofKingston.ca/Subscribe

  • Artist proposal: Dominic Laporte

    supporting image

    Title: Soaring Aves

    My updated concept for this project is based on the idea of living in the present moment and instilling a sense of comradery, empathy, and support of local initiatives. The design is a dynamic depiction of four different species of birds; The House Finch, Chipping Sparrow, Mountain Bluebird and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, all of which are indigenous to Southern Ontario and the Kingston region. The choice behind these individual species presents the diversity between each represented family of bird in a distinct way, which in this concept represents a different pillar of sustainability: Social, Cultural, Economic, and Environmental.

    The birds are placed within a surreal landscape, all working together to mend the break in the rope, which they are all carrying a length of, symbolizing the strength in community support to resolve the ongoing challenges of sustainability in all sectors. This design has been adapted to the new given dimensions of the space, refined to emphasize the dynamic poses of each bird and strengthen the visibility of the entire image from the street level.

    Ultimately, my vision behind this concept design was developed with the surrounding neighbourhood in mind. Aesthetically, I aimed for the imagery to embody the energy, diversity, and strong community values that are ever present in ‘The Hub’. The various connections to the given themes presented in a contemporary style will have the power to transcend the space and highlight this new residential build, inviting people of all generations to appreciate the artwork.

    A tall grey building with a colourful mural painted on the side.

  • Artist proposal: Peru Dyer Jalea

    supporting image

    Title: Moment in the City

    My work aims to heal, inspire and uplift people’s spirits by transforming neglected and often oppressive spaces into safe, playful, and imaginative worlds. My style is marked by a puzzle-like use of simple geometric shapes, clean parallel lines, and a use of coexisting primary colours evocative of the simplicity of childhood. Through reworking simple symmetry and bright graphic elements into complex patterns, my work evokes a feeling of meditative uplifting wonder.

    I particularly enjoy breaking the monotony of the dull city landscape with as much colour as I can to give the viewers a break from their daily routine and invite them into their own imagination. I hope to catch their attention and take them away from their routines and daily concerns and offer a safe place within themselves where they can get lost in meditation as they discover something new every time they dive into the mural. Coming from a graffiti background, my work is rooted in lettering as a foundation and then polished through a process of intuitive restructuring to custom fit the spaces I am invited to beautify. Legible enough for people to find it in time, the subtly written “KINGSTON” invites the community to continue developing a sense of pride with a new landmark and tourist destination.

    Ultimately, my purpose is to create works that communicate the need to rise above our differences by understanding the interconnectedness of all living things. This theme has always been present in my practice and education as, I believe, is the most important message we need to promote in order to be able to properly care and value each other.

    A tall grey building with a bright mural painted on the side.

  • About the Shortlisted Artists

    Two Ontario-based professional mural artists were shortlisted by a jury to submit proposals for the 168 Division Street Mural Project.

    Dominic Laporte is a muralist, painter and commercial illustrator based out of Ottawa, ON. Currently, his art practice is focused on large scale mural projects on a regional and national platform. His exploration of mediums through themes of nature and wildlife allows him to merge his different artistic practices and reach a growing international audience. He has developed a distinct style that’s become a familiar feature of Ottawa’s urban environment.

    Peru Dyer Jalea is an internationally recognized Peruvian-Canadian muralist whose practice is informed by digital and traditional artforms and 25 years of painting graffiti. Peru aims to create works that communicate the need to rise above our differences by understanding the interconnectedness of all living things.