BLAKE ELLIS/ Local Journalism Initiative

There are two open blank spaces on the building at 348 St. George Street and the owners, Mike Grail and Krista Mall, hope murals will soon be painted there.

A public meeting was held on June 19 at the Christ Church Hall next beside the prospective canvass.

Chatham Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff and Councillor Jamie McGrail have given their support to the mural project. Ideas for what the mural could include have been taken online through Let’s Talk Chatham-Kent.

Mall attended the meeting which included 20 residents. She would be interested in using a historic scene or something which highlights local heritage or tourism.

The project will be put out to tender to find an artist and the owners will be working with the chosen artist on a theme.

Mall hopes to have the mural completed by the end of summer or early fall.

Mall hopes to have a commercial tenant in the first floor of the building after the space is gutted.

With ideas beings presented online, it is hoped further ideas could be gathered from people who do not have online access.

One of the ideas which have been floating around online is the inclusion of an interactive component where people could take selfies at the mural. But the church isn’t keen on the idea saying they are concerned with a high number of people coming on to the church property and leaving trash.