Woodstock BIA seeks artists for painted crosswalk project

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Calling all artists: The Downtown Woodstock BIA  is looking for some creative minds to add some art to three downtown crosswalks.

The BIA put out a recent call looking for artists to submit designs for the downtown crosswalks on Dundas Street at the crossings of Perry, Reeve and Graham streets.

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Woodstock BIA seeks artists for painted crosswalk project Back to video

A letter put out by the chair of the BIA noted cars legally don’t have to stop because they are unregulated crosswalks, meaning people can often be stuck “waiting in the rain or snow before a break in traffic permits them to cross.”

That’s where they hope some “Friendly City” crosswalks will make a difference.

“Our theme is Friendly City, and is intended to encourage drivers to be friendly and stop for pedestrians,” said a letter penned by Katherine de Boer, chair of the BIA.

“It is a safety thing, a courtesy thing, and also an arts thing.”

The BIA chair said the idea initially came up with the board in 2017, though some delays and approvals means likely having the crosswalks painted in May 2020.

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One crosswalk will be painted by the students of College Avenue secondary school,  while the other two will be completed by local artists selected from a pool of proposed designs.

The colours will be simple – white and yellow road-grade paint, as donated by the city. The design should include the “Friendly City” moniker, and be simple enough that the designs can be touched up each spring.

The BIA is hoping to find some local businesses to sponsor the crosswalk painting, in which case the design would also include a mention of their business name.

They’re hoping the designs will encourage drivers to stop for waiting pedestrians, de Boer said.

“We’re looking for something cheery, something friendly and uplifting and a bit bold, to catch a driver’s eye,” she added.

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 31. For more information, visit downtownwoodstock.ca.