Collingwood's murals will once again be in the spotlight this November when international mural art experts gather at Cranberry Resort from November 5th to 7th for the 13th National Mural Symposium.

Collingwood is hosting the 3-day conference, presented annually by Toronto arts organization Mural Routes, in partnership with mural towns across Ontario. This year, organizers are pleased to bring the meeting of mural artists and administrators to Collingwood, a town that completed restoration of its heritage murals in 2009.

The symposium offers an impressive lineup of speakers in the field of public art, including Jon Pounds, Executive Director of Chicago Public Art Group. His keynote address on Saturday November 6, Making Murals: The More We Know will examine collaborative art projects that have transformed Chicago’s neighbourhoods. Also Saturday, Dr. Karl Schutz, founder of the internationally renowned Chemainus mural program, will present The Role of Murals in Cultural Tourism with Dr. Gordon Prestoungrange from the Global Mural Arts and Tourism Association.

Another highly anticipated session on Friday November 5 will be led by award-winning public art consultant Brad Golden, who will share his vast experience as artist and consultant in the artists’ session Plastic Plasmas: Entering Public Art Competitions.

Collingwood’s murals will be featured in From Preservation to Policy: A Mural Restoration Success Story, presented by Catherine Campbell, Chair of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and Tanya Mazza, Coordinator of Arts and Culture for the Town of Collingwood. They will be joined by Karin Eaton, Executive Director of Mural Routes who will speak about creating a mural maintenance plan. The session will conclude with a walking tour of the heritage murals.

Registrants will be treated to a reception and interactive storytelling session If Walls Could Speak with Bruce Peninsula master storyteller Ron Baker on Friday November 5. The reception includes a light dinner in the beautiful waterfront meeting rooms of the Bear Estate at Cranberry Resort.

The 13th National Mural Symposium: If Walls Could Speak will be held at the Cranberry Resort on November 5, 6 and 7, with some sessions at the Collingwood Public Library. The Cranberry Resort is located at 19 Keith Avenue, Hwy. 26 West in Collingwood.

For full program information and registration, see the Mural Routes website at www.muralroutes.com/symposium13.htm , email info@muralroutes.com or call 416-698-7995.