Unveiling of mural kicks off Downtown Niagara Falls ‘Urban Walls’ project

The first mural in the new street art initiative, “Niagara Falls Urban Walls”, was unveiled today (September 13) in front of a select group of city staff, the media and local artists in a move that officially kicks off the city’ latest program.

The first piece to be unveiled was artist Elaine Wallis’ “Wish You Were Here,” a recreation of a 1950s-style postcard.

The city says that the addition of this and future street art will benefit the Downtown Niagara Falls environment by creating a safer community, encouraging stewardship and public realm enhancement, attracting art loving pedestrians and counteract graffiti vandalism.

“Murals don’t serve simply to brighten your day, they also are an integral part of creating a safer community and supporting graffiti prevention,” said Clark Bernat, City Manager of Museums and Culture.

Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati visited the site in the parking lot at Queen Street and Erie Avenue behind Third Space/Camp Cataract when this mural was still a work in progress a couple months back.

At the time, Diodati said, “Although many people no longer send postcards and instead share pictures with one another, Elaine wanted to write a love letter to our City, our residents and to our visitors to share with others.”

He added that Wallis’ mural was “representative of the Downtown Niagara Falls vibe and invites interaction and rekindling after we’ve spent the past year missing friends and family and are longing for connection.”

(Photo of Jim Diodati and Elaine Wallis courtesy of Facebook)