St. John’s unveils mural celebrating Francophone heritage

City of St. John's Photo

A new public mural celebrating the history, culture and contributions of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Francophone community has been unveiled in downtown St. John’s.

The project, led by the City of St. John’s in partnership with the 2025 Jeux du Canada Games, is now installed along a retaining wall on Duckworth Street near Holloway Street.

Artist Anastasia Tiller was selected following a call for proposals in June 2025. Her design reflects the strength and vibrancy of Francophone heritage and the community’s enduring role in shaping the cultural landscape of St. John’s and the province.

The mural was created through a collaborative process during the 2025 Canada Games. Tiller worked on site at the Canada Games House in the St. John’s Convention Centre, inviting athletes, families, volunteers and visitors to contribute words and drawings in both French and English. Participants added symbols representing their home provinces, cultural traditions, nature and sport, resulting in a quilt-like patchwork design.

Funding for the project totalled $40,000, with the City of St. John’s and the 2025 Jeux du Canada Games each contributing $20,000.