Midland restoring iconic murals with investment from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture RED Grant

Media Release

Midland restoring iconic murals with investment from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant

For Immediate Release

(March 26, 2025 – Midland, ON) The Town of Midland is pleased to announce further restoration of its historic downtown murals, thanks to a $19,260 investment from the Ontario government through the Rural Economic Development program.

Additionally, Council approved $25,000 toward the mural restoration project as part of the 2024 budget and the Town hosted its inaugural Midland Mural Festival in September 2024 where the public helped create two brand new murals to be installed in the downtown.

The Town of Midland has been known as a mural community since the 1990s and at one time boasted more than 30 murals. Over time some of those murals have either deteriorated, faded or no longer exist due to changes to buildings. A few of the murals were previously restored and with this combined funding, at least 12 existing murals will be rejuvenated under this restoration project. This investment renews the Town’s ability to promote these iconic murals as a tourism attraction with the goal to benefit the downtown businesses and restaurants from increased visitation.

To date, the following mural restoration has been completed - the Girl Guides, James Playfair Shipyard, Midland Post Office, the Playfair Preston Company Interior and Exterior and the Brébeuf Lighthouse. Additional murals are planned to be restored this spring and summer.

For more information about the must-see murals in Midland, visit midland.ca/art.

Quotes:

The Honourable Lisa Thompson, Ontario’s Minister of Rural Affairs: “Our government understands the importance of economic development initiatives with respect to building the capacity of rural communities and small towns across the province to attract and retain business investment,” says Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs. “By way of RED funding, the Town of Midland will be able to restore their beautiful downtown murals, helping to attract more tourists, who will in turn support local businesses and ultimately generate home pride.”

The Honourable Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North: "I am proud to reaffirm the province’s investment through the RED grant for Midland’s historical mural restoration project. This funding is a testament to our commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of our communities. I also commend the Town of Midland for its proactive approach in securing additional funding, which ensures the success and sustainability of this important initiative. The restoration of these murals will not only beautify the town but also drive tourism, support local businesses, and strengthen community pride, making Midland a destination that future generations can appreciate and enjoy."

Bill Gordon, Mayor of the Town of Midland: “We are thankful to the provincial government for their investment in our murals and the beautification of our downtown core. We are excited to see some of our historical murals brought back to their former glory, while adding two new murals to the collection for the public to enjoy. The murals, and all of our public art, act as an admission-free outdoor art gallery for all to enjoy. We welcome residents and tourists to visit the downtown to see how the artists are transforming the existing murals and our entire downtown.”

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