Spotlight on Public Art at the Pedestrian Mall

Written By Linda Browne

Since launching in the summer of 2020, the Downtown Pedestrian Mall (DPM) in St. John's has become a beloved and much anticipated yearly event.

Initially conceived as a way to bring foot traffic to the downtown core and give a boost to local businesses during the pandemic, the pedestrian mall now helps kick-off the summer season in fine style, providing ample space for folks to stroll around with friends and family, and patios to enjoy a drink or meal outdoors in the sun.

This year, thanks to $194,000 in funding from the province's Year of the Arts initiative, the City of St. John's has introduced several new features to enhance the experience, while highlighting and supporting local artists.

Those strolling along Water Street will likely notice some vibrant new signage as they enjoy the DPM this summer, including works by 13 local artists: Yelyzaveta Anysymova, Rashelle Beach, Kyle Bennett, Vessela Brakalova, Krista Burton, Heather Coughlan, Emma Dooley, Jay Mach, Molly Margaret, Shan Leigh Pomeroy, Susy Randell, Nicholas Watton, and Stephanie White.

A downtown street showing a pole with whimsical box art around it featuring a puffin standing up while wearing a sweater and pants, with daisys all around it.

Art by Shan Leigh Pomeroy

A downtown street showing pole box art featuring a cluster or orange bakeapples.

Art by Emma Dooley

These public art pieces (which are displayed on rectangular panels placed around poles, with each side including a different piece by the same artist) feature local scenes, wildlife, berries and more, adding a dash of colour and whimsy to the DPM.

"Every little bit you can do to dress up downtown, or another public area, just adds to the feel of it - just makes a person feel brighter and happier," says St. John's Councillor Sandy Hickman (who also sits on the City's Arts and Culture Advisory Committee).

"So we feel it adds something very positive to the pedestrian mall."

A downtown street showing pole art that features to people above, one with their arm around the other, holding up a fish; the other below showing two people, with their arms around each other, having a drink. Below bubble letters read "St. John's"

Art by Heather Coughlan

Pole box art that shows a whimsical scene of people walking around Signal Hill with a large cruise ship coming into the harbour, while couple of smaller boats sail in the narrows.

Art by Jay Mach

This summer, the DPM also includes markets every second Thursday, from 6-8pm, featuring food trucks and work by local artisans from the St. John’s Farmers’ Market, Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, IceberGallery and more. The markets, Hickman says, have helped animate a particular stretch of Water Street that lacks storefronts and activity.

"The market on Thursdays down there really perks it up a lot and has been really, really well received. I would love to see that expanded." The remaining markets will take place on August 1 (with performances and appearances by 709 Roller Derby, Vanessa Cardoso, and Gerard Locke and Derek Strong), August 15 and August 29.

Artisans stand at tables selling arts and crafts while people walk along Water Street in downtown St. John's.

And what would downtown be without music and friends? This year, Music on Water is another fun addition to the DPM, featuring two free concerts with local musicians. Earlier this month, 2024 JUNO award winners The Swinging Belles delighted the crowd with their sunny tunes, with magician Michael Conway opening the show. The next concert takes place on August 31 (performers TBA) from 3-5pm near Soloman's Lane.

Pop-up events featuring local entertainers is another fun feature of the DMP this summer, taking place each Friday from 2-4pm in front of the Scotiabank building. The remaining events will take place on August 9 (featuring De La Paz Latin Quintet), August 16 (Ana & Eric), August 23 (Allison Prior & Bernie Scott), and August 30 (The Boogie Babes).

Three musicians, two singing into microphones, the other playing acoustic guitar, stand on a stage and perform in front of a seated crowd while a few children stand at the front.

The Swinging Belles entertained the crowd during the first “Music on Water” concert on July 6.

The events, Hickman says, have been "unbelievably well received, and the comments are so positive," adding that while the pressure's on to continue and expand the events next year, that will all depend on funding. 

"We're trying to enhance the pedestrian mall little by little every year." 

Whether it's the DPM pole box art, or the colourful traffic box art or many vibrant murals around St. John's, public art of all sizes, Hickman says, "contributes to the atmosphere and helps celebrate the unique characteristics of the city." 

"Celebrating our city and having a focal point for the city, i.e., Water Street and the pedestrian mall," he adds, "that's really important to have a heart of any city. "

Colourful traffic box art showing a colourful moose filled with Indigenous patterns is displayed on a downtown street. People walk around in the background.

Art by Stephanie White

Visit the City of St. John’s Downtown Pedestrian Mall until September 2 from noon to 10pm daily.

Linda Browne
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