Highpoint Properties worked with the City of Kingston on the creation of an exterior large-scale mural on a new residential development at 168 Division St. A mural was identified as a community benefit through Section 37 of the Planning Act that permits the City to authorize increases in permitted height and/or density through the zoning bylaw for new developments in return for community benefits. The mural is funded by Highpoint Developments. 

The building and the site of the mural is located near the intersection of Princess and Division Street, also known as “the Hub.”  The mural aligns with a City initiative called The Hub Project that brings public art to the area of Princess and Division Street, as a gateway to downtown Kingston and nexus for multiple neighbourhoods.    

The City supported the artist selection and process in alignment with its Public Art Policy. Through the Art in Public Places Working Group, five mural artists were invited to submit a Statement of Interest for the project. A jury made up of local mural artists, visual artists, curators, community members and the developer shortlisted two artists to submit a proposal.  

The City facilitated a public engagement opportunity, sharing the two shortlisted proposals for feedback. The input received was then shared with the artists and the jury for their review and consideration as part of the final selection process. The public engagement ran from June 24 – July 4, 2022, and a recap of the feedback can be viewed on Get Involved Kingston. 

Mural Project Award

The jury selected Peru Dyer Jalea for his mural, Kingston: A Moment in the City, as the successful artist for the 168 Division St. Mural.  

Art type: Permanent, owned by Highpoint Developments  
Budget: $51,500 
Location: 168 Division St., Kingston

Artist Bio

Peru is an internationally recognized Peruvian Canadian muralist whose 25 years of experience and practice is informed by digital and traditional artforms. His work aims to heal, inspire and uplift communities by transforming neglected and often oppressive spaces into safe, playful, and imaginative worlds. A proponent of the ‘Graffuturism’ movement, much of Peru’s artistic energy today is dedicated to bridging and advancing the traditions of graffiti and mural art, as points for dialogue, exchange and connection. Ultimately, his higher purpose as an artist is to create works that communicate the need to rise above our differences by understanding the interconnectedness of all living things.   

Inspired by his Latin American culture, Peru has painted murals and exhibited his work internationally for over two decades. His murals and work have been shown throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia, but he began his career in Canada after moving here from Peru at the age of 15. He has created murals for municipalities, institutions, festivals and non-for-profit, grass-roots organizations, which make up most of his portfolio and which he holds dear to his heart.

Artist Statement: Peru Dyer Jalea

My work aims to heal, inspire and uplift people’s spirits by transforming neglected and often oppressive spaces into safe, playful, and imaginative worlds. My style is marked by a puzzle-like use of simple geometric shapes, clean parallel lines, and a use of coexisting primary colours evocative of the simplicity of childhood. Through reworking simple symmetry and bright graphic elements into complex patterns, my work evokes a feeling of meditative uplifting wonder.     

I particularly enjoy breaking the monotony of the dull city landscape with as much colour as I can to give the viewers a break from their daily routine and invite them into their own imagination. I hope to catch their attention and take them away from their routines and daily concerns and offer a safe place within themselves where they can get lost in meditation as they discover something new every time they dive into the mural. Coming from a graffiti background, my work is rooted in lettering as a foundation and then polished through a process of intuitive restructuring to custom fit the spaces I am invited to beautify. Legible enough for people to find it in time, the subtly written “KINGSTON” invites the community to continue developing a sense of pride with a new landmark and tourist destination.    

Ultimately, my purpose is to create works that communicate the need to rise above our differences by understanding the interconnectedness of all living things. This theme has always been present in my practice and education as, I believe, is the most important message we need to promote in order to be able to properly care and value each other.