Sussex’s Murals: Honouring Our Past, Welcoming the Future
For more than two decades, the murals of Sussex have transformed blank walls into storybooks, turning our streets into a living gallery. These works of public art have celebrated our history, honoured our industries, and showcased the creativity of world-class artists. They have brought colour, character, and pride to our community, earning Sussex the title of Mural Capital of Atlantic Canada.
Time and the elements have gently brought some of Sussex’s treasured murals to the close of their journey. Though their colours may soften, their legacy remains vivid. With gratitude, we retire these artworks, honouring the stories they have told while making way for new murals that will bring fresh inspiration. This transition is not an end, but a joyful acknowledgement of the role these pieces played in shaping the spirit and identity of Sussex.
Just as seasons change, so too does public art. Sussex embraces this cycle not as loss, but as renewal. The retiring murals remain part of our story, and the new murals carry that story forward.
The Retired Murals That Shaped Our Story
1904 – 2004: The Growth of a Town by Peter Bresnen captured Sussex’s first hundred years, from its earliest settlement to its centennial year. It reminded us that we are a community built on resilience, growth, and vision for the future.
The Merchants of Sussex by Barbara of Wilson Murals honoured the shopkeepers and entrepreneurs who transformed Sussex into a bustling service hub. It was a daily reminder that the strength of a town lies in its people and their hard work.
The Telephone: A New Brunswick Invention, also painted by Barbara, told the remarkable story of local innovation as a reminder that creativity and ingenuity have deep roots right here in Sussex.
Logging, Lumber Camps and Sawmills by Fred Harrison paid tribute to the men who worked in the forests and on the rivers, whose labour built the foundations of our local economy.
The Agricultural Fair by Rudolf Stüssi celebrated one of our most cherished traditions, showing how fairs have long brought neighbours together to share in competition, community, and joy.
Each mural has been more than an image; it has been a window into who we are and where we have come from.
Honouring the Hands Behind the Murals
We are grateful to the artists who brought these walls to life and gave us stories that will always remain part of our community. Now, we look forward with excitement to a new wave of murals that will continue this proud tradition.
Behind every mural is an artist whose vision transforms walls into stories. We thank those who have shared their talent with Sussex and look ahead with anticipation to the artists who will shape the next chapter.
Celebrating What’s Next
While it is never easy to say goodbye to artwork that has become so familiar, their retirement paves the way for an equally inspiring new chapter. Submissions from artists across Canada and around the world promise to bring a revitalized energy and vivid colour to our streets. These new murals will weave together stories of our past and visions of our future, reflecting both heritage and growth while inspiring pride throughout the community.
The retiring murals brought joy and a sense of belonging to our town. The murals that follow will write the next chapter, sharing new stories that reflect the spirit of Sussex today and into the future. Sussex remains a community where art and history come together to shape our story in meaningful ways.
To replace the murals that are being retired, Sussex launched a new mural project in Summer of 2025. Seven site-specific murals were commissioned to remain on display for five to ten years, supporting the town’s ongoing commitment to public art. Artists were chosen through an open, two-stage process that invited submissions from across the country, ensuring a fair and transparent selection.
The next chapter of Sussex’s mural story is almost here! Watch for artist spotlights and new designs coming soon!
