Rediscover the Ottawa Mural Boxes
The story I am about to tell you is a story of passion, dedication, and how to shoot art. In addition, it’s a tale of how photography meets art, in a way to revive a particular form of urban art in a big and busy city. Most importantly, this adventure will tell you how to rediscover the mural boxes.
Rediscover the Ottawa’s Mural Boxes – How to bring arts to life
This story started in the Nation’s Capital, the city of Ottawa, only weeks ago. That is to say a story about a man with a camera, and a passion for photography. In addition, this tale portrays a man on a quest to give a second life to one of Ottawa’s most impressive urban arts. Most importantly, this is about how reviving the Mural Boxes Art Exhibit Tour.
In Search of Incredible Arts
It was a cold Saturday winter-like afternoon. Paul Gino Ulysse decided to take his family on a discovery journey in the downtown core of the city. Above all, his idea was to bring back the Mural Boxes to resident’s consciousness. But, how to achieve this: by designing an online photographic exhibition with renewed shots of the utility boxes.
Paul’s idea took us to every corner of downtown Rideau because he aimed to shoot the artfully painted utility boxes. As we were moving from one street to another, the cold stopped bothering us. The cold weather gave way to excitement, hopes, and wonders. Suddenly, cold metal boxes warmed up while forgotten utility boxes turned into colorful urban arts with personality. From mundane everyday boxes of wires, art slowly started to come to life, another time.
Talking about personality, the Mural Boxes project is part of the Downtown Rideau Culture Walk. Moreover, this project includes two different exhibits that display the work of Ottawa artists. In addition, this is an award-winning program, and recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the International Downtown Association in 2017 in the category of Events and Programming. This project’s aim was to commemorate the celebration of Canada’s sesquicentennial 150th birthday in 2017. Similarly, the Downtown Rideau Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.) introduced this artfully designed project. In conclusion, it was part of its public art program in partnership with the City of Ottawa.
The list of principal artists part of the Mural Boxes Exhibit tour:
- Auntie Mame Series by Drew Mandigo
- Kingdoms Crossed Series by Glynn Brothers Art (Aiden and Nick Glynn)
Retake the Culture Walk and rediscover the Ottawa Mural Boxes through Paul’s Lenses
Kingdoms Crossed – Box 15, Scarf 
Box 17, Auntie Mame 17 
Box 6, Auntie Mame Blue
See how Paul Gino Ulysse is bringing back the Mural Boxes to resident’s consciousness in a series of renewed and breathtaking shots of the boxes. By using his professional camera and his cellphone camera, he was able to create a mix of different shots that resonate with this amazing art work.
This is what Paul has to say When asked about the reasons that pushed him to do a photo-shoot of the Mural Boxes.
As a photographer, I am always looking for striking scenes to shoot. One day a view of the 1000 Arms Indian Dance painted on a utility box in downtown Rideau struck me. Although, this utility art box has been in this corner for a while, I had missed it several times. That’s why I decided to pay tribute to this amazing art work with renewed shots of the box.
Kingdoms Crossed Series
Mural Boxes – Box 6, Elephant 
The Ottawa Mural Boxes – Box 9, Elk 
Art in the city – Box 7, Humming Bird 
Art in the Capital – Box 10, Parrott 
Box 4, Tiger 
Kindgom Crossed – Box 3, Sea Turtle
Looking Forward
To sum up, the idea of art mural boxes is not exclusive to the city of Ottawa. In fact, this is a worldwide trend that brings a new life to urban art in several cities. Some popular cities for utility box art are Mexico city, Mexico, Toronto, Canada, Calgary, Canada, Los Angeles, California, Glendale, California, Dublin, Ireland, and Madison, Wisconsin to just name a few.
A more diverse photoshoot can be found in Paul Gino Ulysse’s Instagram account. Check out @paulginoulysse for more gorgeous and surreal shots of this amazing urban exhibition and a new way to rediscover the mural boxes.
