Along Quinpool Road, the air buzzes with the sound of aerosol cans spraying paint, the hum of the soft swish of brushes against brick, the faint scent of paint and the murmur of encouragement shared between artists. Two vibrant murals — one a tribute to Nova Scotia’s coastal greens and blues, the other inspired by the joyful messes made by children — are steadily coming to life as part of the Halifax Mural Festival, running from July 5 to 13.
Nova Scotia artists Molly Margaret and OK Island, both painting side by side on Quinpool, are among the featured creators at this year’s festival. Connected years ago by a mutual friend, their friendship quickly turned into a creative partnership. Their mural is inspired by East Coast landscapes and features playful seahorses, aquatic life and maritime memorabilia.
“We started with a colour palette, we wanted to use up what we already had. In an effort to be more sustainable,” said Margaret. “Funnily, we had the most blue and greens, which is fitting for our approach, using supplies we already had.”
“Neither of us had painted seahorses before… they are kind of iconics,” added Island, a muralist and social worker who is participating in her first Halifax Mural Festival.
They both believe that this festival is a safe space to experiment and be creative.
For Margaret, who has taken part in the festival for four years, the event is more than a showcase; it’s a space to connect.
“This is a great way to meet others,” she said. “There is no competition; this is a great space to meet and be a part of the community.”
As a full-time artist, Margaret faces questions that hint at deeper societal doubts about the legitimacy of art as a profession. “We are happy for people to ask us these questions.”
“When in the art space, we get asked if we are art students,” said Margaret.
“Some people are more curious about the job that we do, and one that people can do full time in this economy,” Margret explained. “There are a ton of artists who get told art does not sustain. It is an expensive time to live. I feel fortunate to be in this position. I have built a career in the community for five years.”
The pair are part of a supportive network of local women artists at the Halifax Mural Festival who frequently lean on one another.
Island added, “the festival too cultivates a great network of support among artists.”
“You need me to spot you with a ladder, I’ll run over,” said Margaret. “Support is key.”
Just a few blocks down on Quinpool Road, Toronto-based muralist Megan Oldhues is starting to work on her piece.
“The piece I’m making is inspired by the mess kids make in the lawn at the school opposite my house,” said Oldhues, who started her artistic career in graffiti more than 10 years ago. “I also wanted to play off the Dilly Dally aesthetic, right next to where I am working.”
For Oldhues, this is her first time at the Halifax Mural Festival, and she says she’s drawn to the way local initiatives shape and elevate the art world.
“I love interacting with different parts of Canada and their art scenes. I love local scenes and lifting them up, hence the Halifax Mural Festival.”
Oldhues sees her work as part of a broader effort to amplify women in the arts, particularly in public spaces.
“My hope is to continue elevating the mural scene and be an inspiration,” she said. “Obviously, I want people to like my art, but it’s not my job for them to like everything I do. With this piece, I want to create and leave it up to interpretation.”
Despite the challenges of being a woman in the mural scene, where assumptions and dismissals are still common, Oldhues chooses to focus on her passion.
“It is a mixed bag of experience for a woman artist. I choose to not think about it because it shifts the power from you.”
As the Halifax Mural Festival continues through July 13, Quinpool Road stands as a vivid canvas of what happens when women support women. Oldhues echoes this sentiment. Her experience in Halifax has been warmly grassroots, right down to the festival organizer’s family.
“Shout out to Mike who put this together. His father picked me up from the airport, and his sister brought me paint. Being a part of festivals like this reminds me why I love supporting festivals built from the grassroots up.”
This article appears in Jul 1-31, 2025.
