Three community centres across Canada were gifted indoor murals to mark World Mental Health Day, as well as highlight “Illumina,” paint provider BeautiTone’s 2024 Colour of the Year.
Supported by local Home Hardware stores and executed by local artists, each project was designed to harness the power of public art and community well-being. Each mural incorporated the new Colour of the Year—a soft, calming yellow with notes of red—which is one of seven hues in the 2024 colour palette, along with four supporting neutrals.
At Cole Harbour Place in Dartmouth, N.S., Christian Toth painted a mural of a butterfly surrounded by plants and flowers, supported by Payzant Home Hardware Building Centre. The artwork helps bring the beauty of nature indoors, where families participate in diverse recreation programming, including swimming and dance.
At BGC Cornwall/SDG in Cornwall, Ont., Ryan Smeeton created a layered and flowing landscape inspired by nature. To reflect the community and the work of BGC Canada, the mural also features youthful elements such as a kite in the wind and a colourful backpack on a bench. Supported by Fines Home Hardware Building Centre, the goal of Smeeton’s mural is to brighten up the halls of the centre, where children and youth from all backgrounds participate in social, recreational, and educational programming.
At the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre in Lacombe, Alta., a mural by Alixandra Jade features a floral composition with striking contrasts and colour combinations. Supported by Nowco Home Hardware, the project adds to the energy of the centre, which is known for its accessible arts and entertainment programs.
“Public art not only inspires and delights, but brings people together,” says Samantha Wright, private brands manager of Home Hardware Stores Limited. “On World Mental Health Day, our goal is to inspire joy and feelings of wellness by adding pops of colour to these deserving community spaces across Canada.”
