Sesquicentennial Mural (Photo provided by City of Owen Sound)
The sesquicentennial mural on the Shopper’s Clothing Co. building in Owen Sound is going to be decommissioned for a future replacement.
The current mural on the east side of 2nd Avenue East was set up in 2007 as a project associated with the city’s sesquicentennial celebration and includes over 350 photos of residents of Owen Sound which were used to create the image of the Canadian $1 bill. The city says the vessels depicted on the $1 bill were the Ancaster and Missinaibi, which were built at the former Russel Brothers factory in Owen Sound. Today the Ancaster is a featured outdoor display at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre on the City’s western harbourfront.
In 2007, the city and the building owner entered into an agreement to permit the mural be placed there. The city says, as part of the terms of the agreement, the building owner has provided the city notice and and requested removal due to wear and deterioration of the mural and its frame.
The city says plans for a redesigned mural will be brought to its Community Services Committee later this year.
The city will be working with the director and chief curator of the Tom Thomson Art Gallery and the River District Board of Management on the new design.