Town of Midland’s Bee City mural #2 on display in the lobby at the Municipal Office.
This mural will be installed in Little Lake Park in Spring 2022.
December 17, 2021 – Combining its status as a Bee City and reputation as a mural community, the Town commissioned two Bee City murals to highlight its commitment to protecting pollinators and pollinator-friendly habitats.
The first mural, which included public participation, was installed in David Onley Park in the fall and the second mural, completed by area seniors and students, will be installed in Little Lake Park in the spring.
“This mural is an exceptional intergenerational project that beautifully reflects the community's appreciation of pollinators and recognition of our need to protect them," said Mayor Stewart Strathearn. “We truly have some talented artists in our area."
Melissa Ives, Activationist at the Georgian Manor, and Alison Oldfield, the Executive Director of King Place, led the project.
Residents from the Georgian Manor and King Place who participated include Lloyd Weaver, Marion Taylor, Lyndsey Stacey, Helga Eidner, Marilyn Bumstead, Betty Gillham, Joyce Templeton, Anne Leblanc, Mary Graham, Heather Graham, and Norma Turner.
The high school and elementary school students who contributed to the mural include Bella Visco, Keiryn Ives, Liam Ives, Raine Oldfield-Traviss, Asher Totman, and Violet Ives
While the mural won't be installed outdoors until spring, it will spend the winter on display in the lobby at the Town of Midland Municipal Office for visitors to enjoy.
For more information about Midland's Bee City initiative, please visit Midland.ca/Midland-is-a-Bee-City, and Midland.ca/BeeCityMurals for more on our Bee City Murals.
The Town recognizes financial support received by the County of Simcoe to assist with some of the costs associate with this project.
October 21, 2021 – Midland has added to its mural collection.
Combining its status as a Bee City with its reputation as a mural community, the Town commissioned two Bee City murals to highlight its commitment to protecting pollinators and pollinator-friendly habitats.
The first mural, led by artist Shandelle McCurdie with members of the community invited to help paint the mural, was unveiled in David Onley Park this morning. Shandelle's design concept allowed for community members of all ages and all artistic levels to participate in this project.
“We are proud to be a Bee City and to feature our community's commitment to protecting pollinators through these beautiful new murals," said Mayor Stewart Strathearn. “Midland is known as a mural community, and it's wonderful to unveil this new mural that the community helped create."
The second Bee City mural is an intergenerational endeavour with residents of Georgian Village, King Place and local high school students working together to complete the painting. It will be installed in Little Lake Park in spring 2022.
The Town recognizes financial support received by the County of Simcoe to assist with some of the costs associated with this project.
September 16, 2021 – A new Bee City mural is being created and the community is invited to “bee" part of the fun!
Community members, including individuals and households, can pre-register for one-hour time slots to work with mural artist Shandelle McCurdie to help paint one of Midland's newest murals.
The community painting day will take place on September 22 from 1 to 8 p.m. at the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC). Participants will be pre-screened, required to provide their contact tracing information, and wear a mask. In addition, participants must provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 along with photo ID to enter the NSSRC, following the provincial requirements that come into effect on that date. The only exemptions permitted for this activity are for unvaccinated people with medical exemptions and people under 12 years old. Individuals who cannot receive the vaccine due to medical exemptions will be permitted to participate with a doctor's note until the medical exemption can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.
McCurdie has designed the concept for the mural and will have paint and brushes ready for those who are scheduled to help paint the mural's bees, pollinators and pollinator-friendly plants and flowers.
“We are a mural community and what better way to celebrate our status as a Bee City than by creating vibrant, colourful new murals," said Karen Mealing, Cultural Development Coordinator. “These murals will be installed around Midland so residents and visitors can enjoy them for years to come."
No special painting skills are required, and all ages are welcome.
To register for a spot, contact Karen Mealing, Cultural Development Coordinator, at kmealing@midland.ca or 705-526-4275 ext. 2200. Registrations will be accepted until 4 p.m. on September 21, unless all available slots are filled before this date.
The Town recognizes financial support received by the County of Simcoe to assist with some of the costs associated with completing this project.
July 15, 2021 – Midland is combining its new status as a Bee City with its reputation as a mural community to create two Bee City Murals.
The Town is currently accepting proposals from visual artists who live in Simcoe County and who enjoy working with the public for this project. The themes of the murals will reflect bees, pollinators as well as pollinator-friendly plants and flowers.
“We're proud to be a Bee City and be part of the Bee City Canada program, and what better way to celebrate that in Midland than with beautiful new murals," said Mayor Stewart Strathearn. “We have a large talented group of artists in our region, and I can't wait to see the finished pieces. I know they'll create a real buzz with residents and visitors to Midland."
For one mural, the artist will conceive the design and facilitate community painting days to allow public participation. For the second mural, the selected artist will work with local high school students bringing them through the entire process of creating a mural from design concept to completion.
Artists interested in this project must submit their proposal to the Town by Friday, August 13, 2021, including a demonstration of their artistic ability as well as past experience either leading a community art engagement project or experience with or teaching all ages.
Each mural will measure 8'x16' with one mural being installed in David Onley Park and the other located in Little Lake Park.
For more information about this project, visit
www.midland.ca/BeeCityMurals
The Town recognizes financial support received by the County of Simcoe to assist with some of the costs associated with completing this project.