Gently used canoes will be brought to life this summer, and the Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HfA) is calling on the community for donations.
The sixth annual Canoe Mural Project takes place on July 1 at River Mill Park, where seven street graffiti artists will transform the undersides of donated canoes into murals inspired by Tom Thomson’s iconic landscape paintings.
“This year, we’re doing something funky with this,” said Dan Watson, HfA artistic director. “You’ve seen the (Tom Thomson) murals around town, so it’s going to be done that kind of way but through a street-graffiti kind of lens.”
Watson said donated canoes do not need to be seaworthy but do have to be in reasonable condition with no holes or cracks. Fiberglass or aluminum models are preferred, although all types will be considered. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt while supporting arts, culture, and reconciliation initiatives in the region.
“Put them to good use and donate them to us, and we’ll make them into art,” said Watson.
The finished canoe murals will be displayed free to the public at River Mill Park throughout the summer. In 2027, they will be featured in the Algonquin Outfitters Paddle Art Auction, raising funds to support arts and culture organizations across Ontario.
To donate a canoe, please contact Watson at dan@huntsvillefestival.ca or 705-788-2787.
