MINTO – A Harriston mural is set for an upgrade after Minto council approved artist and mural agreements on July 8.
The mural is located at 90 Elora St. S., and owned by REMAX Midwestern Realty Inc. Dan Keffer.
It was painted in 2020 after the town received rural economic development funding for capital beautification projects in each of its downtowns (Harriston, Clifford and Palmerston).
Harriston Rising, a community-led movement to revitalize downtown Harriston, hosted a mural mania event where four murals were installed on various private properties.
One of them was the REMAX mural, which aimed to showcase and highlight the Minto Arts Council and Harriston Historical Society, while including the REMAX signature hot air balloons.
“The one on the side of the REMAX building is deteriorating,” town economic and community development officer Belinda Wick-Graham told council.
“It needed to be replaced.”
The new, proposed mural designed by artist Blaze Wiradharma. Minto council agenda image
She added, “We do have a public art rehab fund in our capital budget and it wasn’t spent last year, so to refurbish this one, we will be using last year’s money and this year’s money.”
According to the council report, town staff members have worked with three stakeholders and artist Blaze Wiradharma to create a design that meets everyone’s goals.
Wiradharma is not new to creating murals in Minto and all have been “very well received,” states the report.
The proposed mural will include the existing wood panels to be sanded and repainted.
The original size, 16 by 24 feet, will remain the same.
“The goal is to be painting this mural Aug. 4 to 8,” Wick-Graham said.
Unused public art rehab funds from last year ($2,500), combined with an additional $2,500 from the 2025 budget, will be used to pay the artist and rent the fencing and lift required.
Council approved the mural and artist agreements unanimously.
