MOUNT FOREST – Erin Kiers is a local artist and business owner who saw an opportunity to brighten Mount Forest’s downtown core and took it.
It started when a company who specializes in revitalizing downtown spaces, Your Town Rising, held a presentation.
Your Town Rising reviewed Wellington North Township and shared ways to gain more interaction in the community and ways to brighten up local storefronts.
When she heard the township had a goal of enhancing the downtown area to increase local shop visits, the idea of a mural sprung to life.
“We reached out to our landlord because they owned the property near us … there was old construction just sitting there blocking off their future construction zone,” Kiers told the Advertiser.
The blockage was a long wall of plywood with construction behind it.
She explained the space was considered a “dead zone” and was “detracting” from the main street.
At first her landlord didn’t see the purpose of painting a mural on the plywood because it wouldn’t be permanent.
“I was kind of disappointed,” added Kiers.
With increased traffic anticipated for the Mount Forest Fireworks Festival, Kiers worried people driving into town would think it looked “yucky.”
“We just wanted to do it for that weekend and we knew it wouldn’t be a forever thing,” she said.
Her landlord eventually gave Kiers permission to paint. She had just came back from vacation and had only a week before the big festival, she stated. Because she, her husband and daughter all worked full time, she doubted they would finish in time. But the mural was completed in three days, in between their working hours.
After battling time and rain, the family had turned a blank eyesore into a painting of the “skyline of Mount Forest at dusk.
“It was a stressful situation but I think it turned out well,” said Kiers. “I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The mural draws inspiration from prominent landmarks in Mount Forest, such as the water tower and United Church, and also includes fireworks for the popular festival.
Kiers expressed gratitude for kind community members who visited while the family painted.
“People were walking by and saying wonderful, happy things,” she said. “It’s just so nice to know that something like that brought out so much positivity and joy in people.”
She mentioned workers at The Tipsy Fox pub, located beside the mural, brought the artists refreshments – and others also brought food.
Her goal was to “make people smile” and the mural has done just that. Though it’s not known how long the mural will stay up, Kiers said she hopes it will remain at least until the end of summer.
Supporting local artists
A passion for art is something she said she shares with her husband, as they continue to spread awareness for local artists.
While Kiers works at her hair salon, Hybrid Hair and Detox Spa, artists are a few feet away practicing artistry, as she donated the second floor of her rented space to artists looking to showcase their work.
“We want to do whatever we can to help create a stronger, more prevalent art culture awareness in town,” she said.
Kiers said she was disappointed with council when it awarded a past mural opportunity to an out-of-town artist.
As more murals come into focus, Kiers has some plans of her own.
With the permission of her landlord she hopes to turn an alleyway downtown into an outdoor gallery.
Her hope is to adorn one wall with different kinds of arts created by local artists and to have the facing wall be a permanent mural.
She is optimistic the gallery will be finished by the end of summer but states the mural won’t be ready until next year.
