Visitors to the Glebe are greeted with independent shops, tiny coffee shops and busy sidewalks. They also see some distinctive, eye-grabbing murals on the sides of buildings, encouraged by the local Business Investement Area and the community.
In 2023, the Glebe BIA published “The Ultimate Glebe Mural Walk” showcasing some 18 murals that can be found on buildings in the neighbourhood. Almost a year later, many people including artists, businesses and passersby, agree the murals have had a positive impact on the neighbourhood.
The works on the walk can be found from the Queensway to Lansdowne Park on or in the vicinity of Bank Street.
Kaisa Nitoń, an Ottawa-based artist and the founder of Sunny Street Creative Studio, is a believer in the importance of street art.
“(It) is a conversation, it’s a representation of what’s happening in the community and a way that people can express themselves.”
Nitoń designed the mural “Plants Make People Happy” on the side of former skate shop Top of The World which is listed on the mural walk.
“[Street art] is a very peaceful way of protest, free speech and prompts lots of important discussions. … I think it’s very valid and needed,” Nitoń said.
“I’ve always received positive feedback, I think people especially now are more open to [street art],” said Nitoń.
“I’d like to see more art. Ottawa needs more character, and its own individuality. I feel like street art brings that, especially in the Glebe,” said Melissa Hadcock, a former Glebe resident.
“I always felt drawn to The Glebe … right away I felt welcomed and supported by the community. I was very excited to give back and make my mark on the community … in a place that I frequent and admire so much,” Nitoń said.
Darrell Cox, the Glebe BIA’s executive director, said the BIA used a City of Ottawa program to get the mural initiative underway.
“The city has a program that they offer to BIAs, it’s a mural grant … every year we take advantage of that. We’re working with a property owner to put one up in 2025.”
Student and young artist David Mokine said it’s refreshing to witness cities embrace street art.
“I think it’s great that the Glebe encourages street art. It’s very refreshing to see as someone who has had to wade through creeks, and bushwhack through forests just to get to discreet spots where I could paint,” said Mokine.
Local business owners have welcomed and extended their storefronts as canvases. The community prides itself on supporting locally.
Octopus Books, the independent and female-owned business, features some of the art on its building.
“I just think that’s a nice piece of art … I see tonnes of people taking pictures. Does that translate into business? I don’t know. Does it make the Glebe a nicer place? Yes,” said Lisa Greaves, owner of Octopus Books.
Greaves and her staff agree that art is a needed addition to the community.
“I think it’s eye-catching. … It’s a part of the store that adds to the fact it’s independent,” Octopus Books associate Jacqueline Reilly-King said.
As to next steps? “We’re looking to do more wrapping of the utility boxes … we want to see if we can do a program where we can wrap them with some sort of Glebe focused design … that’s in the works,” said Cox.
“Showing the public that you’re investing in that space; it’s going to encourage people to go there, it’s going to show that you want those people there … people want to feel welcomed by the space, and public and community art does that,” Nitoń added.
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