Clinton's historic walls get a modern makeover with new mural trail
BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN
Earlier this month, Central Huron Community Improvement Co-ordinator Angela Smith unveiled a number of murals - both new and refreshed - around Clinton that exist both as they’re seen by the naked eye and as animations that come alive through the magic of smartphones.
Smith gathered some of the artists, as well as members of Central Huron Council, Huron County Warden Glen McNeil, Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson, a representative from Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb’s office and members of the county staff for the tour, which unveiled, for the first time, the new murals that adorn the town.
Two new murals - “All Roads Lead Home” by Jasmin Pannu at 6 Isaac Street and “Free Your Mind” by Abi Bos at 8 King Street - were unveiled to the world that day, in addition to digital re-illustrations of some others for a total of eight murals at seven locations along the tour. They have all been enhanced to work with a smartphone app called Artivive, which, when used, brings the murals to life through animation and music.
Mural 1 - All Roads Lead Home by Jasmin Pannu (6 Isaac Street): The mural’s concept was developed in 2022 by way of a community committee. It includes landmarks like the Central Huron Town Hall, Ball’s Bridge, the iconic radar installation and other references to the community’s agricultural heritage.
Mural 2 - Free Your Mind by Abi Bos (8 King Street): This mural is included as part of the tour, despite being commissioned independently of Central Huron. It was Bos’s first mural after graduating high school and she says it’s very important to her and her art career.
Mural 3 - Old Boys Reunion by Allen Hilgendorf (21 Victoria Street): The portrayal of a reunion held in 1925, it is one of the largest murals on the trail. It was painted by Hilgendorf and digitally re-illustrated by Bevin Finlay in 2022 using photographs of the original mural to restore the brightness from the day it was first painted.
Mural 4 - Sharing Herbal Knowledge - Indigenous People and Settlers by Allen Hilgendorf (21 Victoria Street, rear): Also painted by Hilgendorf, the mural was commissioned by Judy and John Alilović of the former J&J Pharmacy. It portrays a scene in which Indigenous locals teach early settlers about natural medicine made from native plants.
Mural 5 - Clinton History Collage by Allen Hilgendorf (46 Albert Street): This mural, which has also been digitally re-illustrated, has been moved from the rear of Clinton Town Hall to the south side of Bartliff’s Bakery in order to increase its visibility.
It includes scenes of or references to The Sherlock Manning Piano Factory, The Clinton Car, Groves Electric, Bartliff’s Bakery, The Boy in the Cart, the post office and the Standpipe Tower.
Mural 6 - Clinton Spring Fair by Allen Hilgendorf (56 Albert Street): The mural features memories and scenes from the annual Clinton Spring Fair, including the demolition derby, animal shows, rides, the ambassador competition and more.
Mural 7 - PUC (Public Utilities Commission) History by Bob Simpson and refreshed and complemented by Abi Bos (16 Park Lane): The mural depicts the importance of water to the community and builds upon the history of the PUC, which had formerly been located there. The offices are now located across the street.
Bos has worked around some of the pre-existing art to create a mural that preserves the historic art created by Simpson, but can also be viewed as a piece of art that is wholly her own.
Mural 8 - Racing Legends by Allen Hilgendorf (129 Beech Street - the Clinton Raceway): The mural makes note of some of the more famous horses that have made their way down the track in Clinton and it has been digitally re-illustrated recently.
For more information on the murals or to learn more about them or the artists, visit the BIA’s website at cchbia.ca.