Murals
Take a walking tour of the murals in Downtown Sault Ste. Marie!
Permanent Public Art
Public Art is defined as art in any medium that is situated in a public space. Public Art plays a role in beautifying the community, engaging residents and creating a sense of place, creating links to economic growth and strengthening tourism.
Traffic Wraps
Wrapping traffic boxes with artwork helps prevent tagging, tell community stories, beautify the city (create points of interest), and advance tourism and economic development opportunities, while raising profile of arts in the community.
Vivid ArtFest
Project Location: Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Project Installation: Between September 8-20, 2025 (artists should plan to be present in Sault Ste. Marie September 19 – 21, 2025)
Artist(s) Fees: $6,000 (includes HST) + travel costs, accommodations, and daily per diem
Proposal Deadline: April 14, 2025 at 4:30pm
Project Description
This call for mural artists is to assist in the creation of permanent public art as part of a city-wide arts and culture festival that showcases and celebrates artists and the diverse community within Sault Ste. Marie. Specifically, this public art project will assist in the forging and facilitation of relationships, placemaking, and reflections of identity that will speak to the unique character, culture, or heritage of the city.
Complete and submit the application form provided here. Please link or include the required supporting documents listed below.
The application email should include the following attachments or information:
- An artist’s CV or resume;
- Three (3) samples (pdf, jpg, png files accepted) of work demonstrating previous experience working on large-scale murals
- Three (3) references and their contact information from previous artistic projects
- Completed application form
Applications can be emailed with the subject line: Call for Artists – VIVID ArtFest 2025 to Aliesha Moore at a.moore@cityssm.on.ca by April 14, 2025 at 4:30pm.
The VIVID ArtFest Working Group, consisting of partner representatives from the City of Sault Ste. Marie, The Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association, Local Immigration Partnership, and members of the arts community review all eligible and complete applications to compile a short list of top applicants. Respective property stakeholders will review the short-listed applications and supporting materials to finalize the top ranking applicants.
Once Selected:
Upon selection, a representative from the VIVID ArtFest Working Group will liaise between Artists and property stakeholders to connect and assist in the discussion and development of mural concepts and artwork.
Artists will be required to complete and submit a final design after consulting with property stakeholders. Artists may be required to revise and deliver requested changes by the property stakeholders.
The production and installation of the artwork will be the responsibility of the artist. VIVID Working Group members will assist in the acquisition and coordination of materials and resources associated with the mural installation.
Artists will not be responsible for the costs or purchase of materials (paint, bottles, buckets, brushes, etc.), rentals and property location preparation, unless otherwise determined by the artist and Working Group. Accommodations, travel expenses and daily per diem will be provided in addition to the artists fee.
Anticipated Schedule/ Project Timeline:
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Additional Information:
If you have questions about this Request for Expression of Interest, please contact Aliesha Moore by email at a.moore@cityssm.on.ca. Please allow for 1-2 business days for a response.
Paul Mall Alley
The Paul Mall Alley Display Project seeks to feature six (6) new visual artists in 2025/2026. The display units located in Paul Mall Alley provide an opportunity for local and regional artists to have an ongoing public space to display and promote their artwork. This opportunity also allows artists to participate in the City’s Downtown Arts Tour.
Local and regional artists are invited to submit one (1) current portfolio work to be reproduced that represents their artistic practice, which will be displayed along with their biographies and contact/website/social media details in the display units.
Timelines:
Submission Deadline: 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2025
Artists will be notified of decisions by: Monday, December 1, 2025