Main Street Murals
Discover a vibrant tapestry of public art that breathes life into our streets. From captivating installations to striking murals, Downtown Antigonish is a canvas of creativity waiting to be explored. Come, immerse yourself in the artistic soul of Downtown Antigonish. Explore, experience, and be inspired by the creativity that flows through our streets.
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In partnership with Antigonish Culture Alive, the Town of Antigonish proudly presents the Antigonish Public Art Program. Launched in 2022, this initiative is a celebration of our town’s artistic spirit, enriching the downtown core with thought-provoking and inspiring artworks. Our goal is to not only beautify our streets but also to nurture Antigonish’s identity as a cultural hub within Northeastern Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia).
On this page, you’ll find a curated map and detailed information about some of the remarkable art pieces that adorn our community. Each artwork tells a story, reflecting the diversity and creativity that define Antigonish.
Beyond the visual delights of our public art, Antigonish thrives with a dynamic art community. Every September, Antigonish Culture Alive hosts the Antigonight: Art After Dark Festival, a captivating outdoor arts festival. It’s a celebration of talent and a testament to our town’s commitment to the arts.
At the heart of our artistic endeavors is the Antigonish Art Fair Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting new and emerging artists in our community. The society proudly owns and operates The Arts House, a vibrant studio space that hosts art courses, workshops, and exhibitions. One of our standout events is the Antigonish Art Fair, a bi-weekly festival held on Friday evenings at Chisholm Park, running from the end of June to the end of August.
Quaint Murals of a Time Gone By
Antigonish Medical Center
Antigonish Landing Mural
Bradshaw Insurance
Ogival Morphs
Wild Skies Upon the Waves
Guide Me Home
The Black Bear and the Beech Tree
Common Ground
Common Ground
Artist: Emily Kane
We have pride in our people toward the protection our region’s natural environment.
Try to find some of our region’s inhabitants in the mural!
Emily Kane is a Nova Scotian illustrator and environmental educator. Her work aims to interact with viewers & foster a shared responsibility for the protection of our natural world. Hand drawn on paper, 2014.
- Mainland Mouse
- Common Red Fox
- Beaver
- Yellow Nuthatch
- Black Bear
- Yellow Birch
- Scottish Blueberry
- Common Crow
- Human
- Eastern Coyote
- Osprey
- Crescent Moon
- Woodland Squirrel
- Black-capped Chickadee
The Black Bear and the Beech Tree
Artist: Adele MacFarlane
Orignial medium, oil on panel, 2015
Guide Me Home
Artist: Kashia Melanson
“With my art, I wish to capture a whimsical look, to redefine the standard of beautiful. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to feel the emotion in my artwork, and it is my hope that the viewer can experience Guide Me Home through my perspective.” – Kashia Melanson.
Wild Skies Upon the Waves
Artist: Grace Lane-Smith
“Working under the theme ‘Rurality’, Lane-Smith examines the oceanfront as a representational aesthetic for our region, while also expressing gratitude to call such a beautiful place home.” – Grace Lane-Smith
Ogival Morphs
Artist: Fenn Martin, 2021
The Seed: Seeds relate a powerful symbol of small-scale agriculture, connections to land, and long-term community investment. At the highest peak of Ogival Morphs there is a hand-pounded, 7-foot-tall, copper oval created by Ruben Irons. This seed-shape acts as a medallion, a broach, or family seal. The curves of the seed reflect the gothic arched windows of the neighboring St. James United Church. The seed is in communication with the arches; contemporary and neogothic stylings over a grassy lawn.
The Frieze: Ogival Morphs is a series of architectural ceramics that interface with other materials through custom extrusion. This piece is a ceramic and metal frieze composed of undulating and truncated ceramic tubes amidst guiding metal supports. Imagine seeing extraordinary plumbing parts repositioned as an interwoven network of forms. Together these forms create a stylized longitudinal frieze board; a modern version of ancient Greek figurative carvings like those located in the eaves of the Parthenon.
Bradshaw Insurance
Artist: Andrew Murray
Quaint Murals of a Time Gone By
Artist: Andrew Murray
Antigonish Medical Center
Artist: Andrew Murray
Antigonish Landing Mural
Artist: Trackside Studios
Description: This mural was spray-painted by three artists from Trackside Studios in 2020 to depict the Antigonish Landing, an important part of the community. Organizers spoke with members of the StFX biology department for help with identifying wildlife to include in the painting.
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If you’re planning a trip to the Northumberland Shore, visit our tourism website,Coastal Nova Scotia, to begin building your travel itinerary!