Written for Daily Hive by Amanda Stancati of People of Hamilton in partnership with Hamilton Economic Development.
Visiting Hamilton and in need of the bold backdrop for a commemorative photo-op? Perhaps the city name in 10-foot high script or an oversized illustration of a TiCat breaking through a brick wall just like the Kool Aid Man?
Get your camera ready: here are some of the most colourful places to strike a pose.
This 2016 Pete Fowler mural on the side of Dr. Disc was commissioned by the organizers of Supercrawl (Sonic Unyon Records).
Where: 20 Wilson Street, Hamilton
The vinyl Supercrawl mural Cock Robin created by Anitra Hamilton in 2016 comments on the human capacity to create and destroy. Find it at CBC Hamilton.
Where:Â 118 James Street North, Toronto
Created by Lester Coloma in 2010 (when the Cannon Street bike lanes came into effect), this mural on the side of Mixed Media celebrates Hamilton’s Supercrawl.
Where:Â 154 James Street North, Hamilton
Created by local art collective Shake-n-Make (Liss Platt and Claudia Manley), the Domestic Brew installation at Hamilton Artists Inc. is a craft beer “garden” of beer caps.
Where:Â 155 James Street North, Hamilton
Find this 20-year-old mural at Wild Orchid, greeting patrons of the Portuguese restaurant since it opened.
Where:Â 286 James Street North, Hamilton
Created by Lester Coloma in collaboration with Art Forms, this 2015 mural on the side of Butcher And The Vegan portrays the restaurant’s ethos of local, farm to table food.
Where:Â 61 Barton Street East, Hamilton
This Beasley neighbourhood piece is a testament to the art scene helping to beautify Hamilton’s public spaces.
Where: McLaren Park, Hamilton
Capri Italian restaurant, famous for its Blue Grotto and pizza bianca, has this ode to pizza and spaghetti (not pictured) on its facade behind the building.
Where:Â 25 John Street North, Hamilton
Hidden in an alleyway behind the elegant bistro, The French, is this scripted Hamilton by Cory Tower.
Where:Â 37 King William Street, Hamilton
Created by Ninehouse Productions, find this mural on the corner of Barton Street and East Ave.
Where:Â 314 Barton Street East, Hamilton
Ottawa Street’s newest mural commissioned by East Kiwanis Place Parkette was created by Ninehouse Productions.
Where: 236 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton
This large whimsical mural at Antique Detective features an angel above a cityscape, florals, and bright geometric shapes.
Where: 137 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton
Visit Quality Bakery for sweet treats and while you’re there, feast your eyes on this brightly coloured mural that adorns the shop.
Where:Â 150 Ottawa Street North, Hamilton
Just minutes from Tim Hortons Field and the home of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats is this piece at Geri’s Grillhouse.
Where:Â 1523 Barton Street East, Hamilton
Inspired by the “greetings from Austin” mural in Austin, Texas, Durand Coffee wanted to create a similar piece in Hamilton and enlisted the help of artist Tyler Van Holst.
Where:Â 142 Charlton Avenue West, Hamilton
Completed 2016 by Ninehouse Productions, this grand mural depicts the work of EduDeo Ministries.
Where:Â EduDeo Ministries, Campus 621, 621 Barton Street East, Hamilton
At the intersection of Main Street and Gage Street, Ninehouse Productions created this scene of Enschede in Holland in 1997.
Where:Â Connaught Fish & Chips, 976 Main Street East, Hamilton
See this mural as you walk along James Street South, just below the Hamilton Conservatory of the Arts.
Where:Â 126 James Street South, Hamilton
Bruno’s School of Hair Design has since re-located, but its mural remains at the rear of the building.
Where: 117 King Street East, Hamilton
Not your average dentist office, this space will have you showing your pearly whites even before you walk inside.
Where:Â Dr. Anthony Markowski Dentist Office, 134 Jackson Street East, Hamilton
This Welcome to Hamilton sign greets visitors in the tunnel connecting the two parts of McNab Street South.
Where:Â Tunnel at McNab Street South and Hunter Street, Hamilton
The mural lining the McNab Street underpass was created to replace offensive writing and transform the space with vibrant colours. Find the artist on Instagram @streetarthamilton.
Where:Â McNab Street South and Hunter Street, Hamilton
This homemade mural by Lester Coloma shows you just the type of goods you can expect inside at Cake and Loaf.
Where:Â 321 Dundurn Street, Hamilton
Bryce Huffman created this colourful display on the facade of Hamilton’s friendly bicycle repair shop, Bike Locke.
Where: 202 Dundurn Street South, Hamilton
Find scenes of Hamilton landmarks by artist Norman Fournier along the side of Hutch’s, like the waterfalls, Ivor Wynne Stadium, Dofasco, Gore Park, Vic Copps, and of course, the famous diner.
Where: Hutch’s on the Beach, 280 Van Wagners Beach Road, Hamilton
Black Forest Inn has been a Hamilton landmark since 1967 and serves up Austrian, German, and continental food and drink. Find this mural on the side of the restaurant and more wall art along the front.
Where:Â 255 King Street East, Hamilton
On the historic Treble Hall building is a subtle reminder to “please lend a hand.”
Where: 12 John Street North, Hamilton
As you walk into the Hamilton Farmers’ Market on York Blvd, you’ll spot Raising the Barn by Dave Hind and the Aluminum Quilting Society, installed just days ago.
Where:Â 35 York Boulevard, Hamilton