This fence, located on 1260 3rd Ave., will soon see a mural covering it as part of an ongoing effort to revitalize downtown Prince George.

By Tommy Osborne

Art Project

From “eyesore” to beauty: new art project aims to help revitalize downtown

Dec 10, 2025 | 4:54 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A new art initiative is coming to downtown Prince George, in an effort to further contribute to downtown revitalization efforts. “Colour the Core” is calling for local artists to create a mural to cover a 69-feet-long fence at 1260 3rd Ave to beautify the area.

“It’s going to enhance that vacant lot, where instead of people seeing a vacant lot or not noticing it, they’re going to be able to see some beautiful public art that’s going to help beautify downtown Prince George,” said Tourism Prince George’s Executive Director Scott McWalter.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea, and it turns what is otherwise an eyesore into something beautiful. It’s definitely a positive thing for the street here,” said Eoin Foley, owner of Nancy O’s and Betulla Burning, which is right across the street of the fence.

Colour the Core is a collaborative project between Tourism PG, Downtown Prince George, the Prince George Arts Council, and Two Rivers Gallery. Any artists interested can submit their work to Tourism PG, and it’s possible multiple artists could be selected to help create the mural.

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“We’re really looking for artists to emphasize joy, curiosity, and a connection to place within their designs. So those are the key themes that we’re hoping to see artists incorporate,” said Two Rivers Gallery Director of Learning and Engagement Jessica Endress.

Notably, the selection process is open for youth artists too, so anyone over the age of 14 can submit their work for consideration. It’s a choice that both McWalter and Endress are excited for, as they say it’s always fantastic to give these young artists an opportunity to get more involved with the greater arts community.

“I think it’s a real point of pride and confidence building for youth, especially, when you’re in those tender years of 14 to 18 where you’re really developing your sense of self and also your artistic vision. That’s kind of a key time, I think, to gain recognition and build confidence and feel like ‘my art really can be featured publicly and be scaled to the level of a professional artist,’ Endress said.

The chance to showcase local artists and create a beautiful piece of art is certainly a great thing on its own, but Foley adds it’s also great for downtown as a whole and local businesses.

“Creating positive experiences in every little way we can, it makes a difference when you add it all up,” Foley said.

“There’s a lot of negativity around a lot of the social issues that we have in the area and, but there’s so many great local businesses downtown and so many important services that we need to use on a regular basis,” Foley continued, explaining the importance of creating positivity and making downtown an appealing place to be.

Colour our Core is a similar project to the Omineca Arts Centre mural painted earlier this year, and McWalter says he is always happy to take inspiration from other great projects across the city and keep the positive momentum going.

“I even believe that with Colour our Core, that’s going to inspire subsequent and future projects as well, so the more that we can do to help beautify downtown Prince George and beyond with public art installations and activating local artists, the better,” he said.

The deadline to submit your art is January 8, and the project is expected to be completed in February.