Pink cherry blossoms now adorn a once-plain spot on the wall in Collingwood’s Art Alley.

Alex Kostecka-Silva, the artist behind the new interactive art installation, says she’s applied a few times to be one of the chosen artists to create a piece for the iconic Collingwood Art Alley, and was elated to be chosen this time around.

The new mural was officially unveiled on July 26.

“I applied the first year it became public, and I applied with eight different designs,” said Kostecka-Silva, with a laugh. “It was a goal for me to have a mural in the Collingwood Art Alley.”

While she wasn’t chosen for the second spot, the Wasaga Beach-based artist applied this year for the third spot with a variety of designs. According to the call for artists, she said the only stipulation was that it be 12 feet by 12 feet and designs needed to incorporate a seating feature – either a bench or a swing.

Again, Kostecka-Silva submitted eight designs.

“They want every mural to be interactive in some kind of way,” she said, adding that the original cherry blossom design included a circle swing but a surprise bench donation meant she had to tweak the mural for the bench.

“The idea behind the cherry blossoms was very simple: everyone loves cherry blossoms. I thought it would be a nice addition to the colour palette I already saw in the alley,” she said.

Kostecka-Silva calls mural painting her “side passion.” During the day, she works for the Town of Wasaga Beach.

“I’ve been painting murals for the past four years. I really got into it throughout COVID. I started seeing calls for artists pop up in Collingwood and Wasaga,” she said, noting she got her first-ever commission from an ice cream shop owner in Wasaga Beach in 2019.

“It’s my comfort zone.”

Since then, she’s painted murals at the Wasaga Beach Youth Centre and the skate park.

“I love public art. I’m an artist at my core,” said Kostecka-Silva.

The Collingwood Art Alley was initiated by Cassie MacKell, co-owner of Low Down Bar, who commissioned the first mural in the alley – called The Butterfly – painted by artist Shandelle McCurdie. A second mural called JUMP! was unveiled in July 2022 painted by Collingwood artist Deb Baillie.

“It’s very exciting for me to have such a huge piece in Collingwood. I hope a lot of girls in pretty dresses want to take photos in front of it,” said Kostecka-Silva, with a laugh. “Anyone who wants to feel pretty, should stand in front of that mural.”

Collingwood Art Alley is located between Low Down Bar and Alexander Art School and Art Supplies at 77 Simcoe Street.

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