Year of the Arts Mural Unveiled

“We are thrilled to share this beautiful new mural with the community,” said Councillor Sandy Hickman. “This artwork not only adds a vibrant and welcoming element to our streetscape, but it also serves as a lasting reflection of a timeless source of inspiration for artists in St. John’s and across Newfoundland and Labrador. I want to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for supporting this new mural in celebration of the Year of the Arts.”

Emphasizing artist Jerry Evans’s Mi’kmaw heritage, the mural foregrounds Indigenous perspectives, celebrating ancestral connections and acknowledging the life-sustaining riches of this land. The mural includes Mi’kmaw traditional designs representing flora, fauna, landscapes and cultural elements like petroglyphs to emphasize cultural ties to the land and sea. More information about the artist can be found in the bio below. 

"My new mural, Ktaqmkuk, celebrates the rich essence of our land and sea, offering a decolonized artistic expression that reflects the beauty and significance of this place we call Ktaqmkuk," said Jerry Evans. "The imagery honours the land and sea, depicting their life-giving resources and diverse landscapes."

The artwork is fabricated in a similar manner to its neighbouring Come Home 2022 mural on Harvey Road (created by artists Molly Margret and Lily Taylor), with the artist's design printed on vinyl, which has been adhered to aluminum panels and installed on the retaining wall. 

The City committed $16,400 for this project which was also supported by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, providing $30,000 through the Year of the Arts 2024 Funding Program.

“The focus of the Provincial Government’s Year of the Arts initiative has been to highlight Newfoundland and Labrador’s vibrant arts and cultural sector and the artists who comprise it,” said the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation. “This mural is a wonderful example of infusing culture, colour and creativity into a public space for the enjoyment of citizens and visitors alike. Thank you to Jerry Evans for sharing his ancestry through this incredible piece, as well as to the City of St. John’s for their vision in beautifying the Harvey Road area.”

The City has a strategic direction to be a Connected City where people have a sense of belonging and are actively engaged in community life. Developing and delivering programs, services, and public art that inspire creativity, celebrate culture, and enhance public spaces is key to advancing this direction.

 

Jerry Evans is an artist of Mi’kmaw and settler heritage, born and raised in central Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). He is one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most beloved and respected artists, working as a professional visual artist for over 30 years. Known primarily as a painter and printmaker, he also works with film, design and traditional hand-poke tattooing to reach beyond Western ideologies. His practice is deeply rooted in his Mi’kmaw heritage, and his artistry comes alive in the creation of his own regalia for powwow dancing. In addition to his training in fine arts, Jerry has been dedicated to the cultural preservation, reclamation, and continued growth of Indigenous communities across Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) and the Big Land (Labrador). He is committed to sharing and learning with communities all over Mi’kma’ki.