Artist Chad Tyson works on a mural on Second Street downtown Monday during the final day of this weekend's Mural Fest segment. The event is happening over the next few months because of COVID-19.--NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
Though it happened quietly and without promotion, Medicine Hat’s downtown gained three new graffiti murals this weekend as part of the second annual Mural Fest.
The event is running in partnership with the City Centre Development Agency and is taking place over the course of the next few months. The first phase took place Saturday and Sunday, while the next will occur at the beginning of July.
“Because of COVID we really didn’t know how to do things this year,” said organizer Jeff Goring. “We decided to do a couple murals in June, a couple in July, a couple in August and then we’re going to do something in September as well.
“Spreading things out, I figured this was a good way to keep up with social distancing and still getting cool murals for our downtown.”
All the murals this year will be in the downtown area, between First and Fourth Streets. Each segment of Mural Fest will feature a different local and out-of-town artist.
“I always try to have an even number of local people and out-of-town people – it provides a really good mix of styles,” said Goring. “I always try to find walls that are beat up or run down to really change them and bring new life to them.
“These are community-minded artists and I know when they come in, they’re going to make something special.”
Chad Tyson came down to the Hat this weekend to take part in his first Hat Mural Fest and praised his time here.
“It was great,” he said. “It was great to meet so many different members of the community and to get feedback from them as I was working.”
Tyson painted the words “The Hat” on Sixth Avenue near the Page and Whisker. He also painted the words “Hello, Gorgeous” on Second Street across from Station Coffee. Teanna Sterkenburg was the other artist taking part. She put together a flower mural on Fourth Street near Grass City.
Goring says one of the main goals with Mural Fest is to get more people downtown and supporting local business owners.
“We want people to drive down here, park their car and to explore everything downtown has to offer,” he said. “Whether it’s grabbing a coffee or checking out a cool clothing shop – there’s a lot to do down here.”
Check out Medicine Hat Mural Fest on Facebook for more information.
