A new mural on Wurtemburg

Michael Barnes

For a very long time, the east wall of the strip mall on Rideau at Wurtemburg Streets – now the location of the Madhuban Indian restaurant – was a target for repeated tagging and graffiti. In the 1950s there had been a gas station, and it appears the automobile garage was accessed from Wurtemburg. In those days, it wasn’t closed to car traffic at Rideau.

Well, that sad looking wall has had a big face lift and changed for the better with the arrival of a 10 by 50 foot (3 by 15 metres) colourful, vibrant mural designed by artist Stephanie Babij. In early July, Stephanie and many community volunteers, ranging from 4 years old to mid-80s, came out to paint the mural based on the outline that Stephanie painted on the wall. After two weeks of preparation, priming and multiple coats of paint the once drab brick and metal wall was transformed into something many passersby would stop and comment on, and express their appreciation of the positive improvement to Sandy Hill.

Without the idea over a year ago from Pascale Martel, nothing would have happened. Then Kathyrn Harper and others in the neighbourhood started building interest in the proposed mural and looked into funding options for it. Given the large size, the mural would cost close to $8,000. The property owner and Sleepwell Property Management each provided $1,000. Action Sandy Hill gave the proceeds from Sandy Hill’s One & Only Arts and Craft Fair, which was $850. There was still a large amount to raise. Thankfully, the Downtown Rideau BIA decided that it would make that big donation to enhance our community and provided roughly $5,000.

Our Councillor Stéphanie Plante and staff were supportive, in particular Carina Pogoler who was seen painting this beautiful addition to a location where hundreds of residents pass by daily.

In closing, this project succeeded as participants worked to improve the neighbourhood. So whether you shop at the mini-mall or elsewhere along Rideau, or support the One & Only Arts and Craft Fair, you can consider yourself a contributor to this mural. To everyone who painted, it wouldn’t have happened without you! In the end it all worked as the community worked together and achieved a good thing.