The new look to the Cornwall offices of Big Brothers and Big Sisters adds a huge splash of colour to what was once a drab green building.
The new design for the outside of the building shows the office at the corner of Third and Augustus streets in a whole new light. It’s being called the BIG House Hug event, and has seen artists drawing and painting the outside of the Big Brothers office all weekend. The massive artwork has been designed by talented local artist Tracy-Lynn Chisholm.
Visual artist Noella Cotnam is spearheading the project and has been playing host to the 20 or more “walldog” artists that travel to similar events to work together on murals.
“What I find most exciting about a project like this is watching the design go from a small concept to a large scale work of art in four or five short days,” said Cotnam prior to the event.
On day one, the design was projected and traced onto the building and then the “walldogs” got to work.
The project is similar in scope and design to the massive mural project that took place at the corner of Pitt and Second streets in Cornwall recently.
In an interview BBBS executive director Amanda Brisson said the project has taken several years to get organized – mainly because nearly $20,000 in funding had to be secured first.
“This (design) depicts a fun, youthful image,” she said in an earlier interview. “You will know this is the Big Brothers and Big Sisters office.
“It will be really kid friendly.”
Funding for the project was secured from Home Depot, among others, while a slew of firms made in-kind donations too.
Big Brothers put up about $5,000 for the project.
“This event is unlike anything this area has ever seen. We are so excited to be a part of something so unique,” said Brisson.
