Mural artist Scott McDonald was born and raised in Hamilton, and after going via throat most cancers, he made it his mission to make a distinction within the metropolis.
He instructed CBC Hamilton he needed “to depart a legacy of simply having a vibrant arts scene within the metropolis, and really make this an artist metropolis.”
McDonald was an organizer of the Concrete Canvas pageant and helped make Hamilton’s first authorized road artwork wall a actuality. However after portray a number of lovely murals round Hamilton, he mentioned, coping with the town has left him feeling “ripped off.”
He mentioned he cannot afford to attend for the $40,000 he says he’s owed for 2 murals he painted in the summertime, after spending three years attempting to receives a commission $10,000 for a mural he completed in 2021.
“The town wants to vary,” mentioned McDonald, “I do not perceive how they’ll get away with this.”
WATCH: Hamilton artist on why it is so costly to color a mural within the metropolis
Hamilton artist on why it is so costly to color a mural within the metropolis
He says spending goes to something from the paint used and renting a elevate to physiotherapy appointments after ending a job.
McDonald mentioned all three of those murals had been accomplished underneath the Business District Revitalization Grant Program.
The charge for his 2021 mural of Frankie Venom, lead singer of the Hamilton band Teenage Head, on Rebecca Avenue was $20,000, of which half could be reimbursed to the property proprietor underneath this system.
McDonald mentioned the property proprietor paid him the $20,000 in full as he waited to get the $10,000 metropolis reimbursement.
He mentioned the property proprietor did all of the work required underneath this system, together with getting permits, to set himself up for getting the cash again from the town.
Nonetheless, after a 12 months of ready, McDonald mentioned he gave the property proprietor again the $10,000 as a result of he felt unhealthy in regards to the scenario.
Then, McDonald, the property proprietor and the town made an settlement during which the town would pay him the $10,000 by addressing the cheque to each McDonald and the property proprietor.
It’s actually unlucky any artist in our metropolis would go so lengthy unpaid for his or her labour, expertise and time.- Nrinder Nann, Hamilton councillor
McDonald mentioned he has made this settlement with the town for different murals earlier than and “it was at all times a trouble.”
In accordance with Norm Schleehahn, director of financial growth with the town, property homeowners who fee artists for these murals are answerable for paying the artist in full and supply proof earlier than the town can reimburse the property proprietor.
Nonetheless, “for this particular utility and understanding the numerous delays,” as soon as the town confirmed McDonald had been paid half of his quantity owed and with the property proprietor’s consent, the town was capable of present a joint cheque to McDonald and the property proprietor.
The $10,000 cheque was prepared on Oct. 18, in the future after CBC Hamilton reached out to the town to ask questions on McDonald’s case.
Nonetheless, he mentioned he has been unable to money the cheque because it was improperly drafted.
Artist says course of makes him really feel like ‘leverage’
Schleehahn mentioned that earlier than processing fee, the town should additionally guarantee property homeowners are updated on property taxes, “no constructing code, hearth code or property code violations are on file, zoning that allows the present enterprise is in place and [the city has to] validate who the property proprietor is through a title search.”
That is accomplished with a view to “shield metropolis tax {dollars},” mentioned Schleehahn.
McDonald mentioned that course of made him really feel like “leverage” as a result of every time the property proprietor submitted the mandatory paperwork, the town would request one thing else.
One of many two different murals is on Concession Avenue and is for a brand new diner. The opposite is a portray of a biker on a constructing on Barton Avenue East.
McDonald painted this Frankie Venom mural in 2021 in one other challenge underneath the town’s Business District Revitalization Grant Program. (Aura Carreño Rosas/CBC)
McDonald’s charge for every mural was $40,000. Each property homeowners are on fee plans to provide McDonald $20,000 every and will not end giving him what he is owed for at the very least eight months. Till then, in keeping with the foundations of this system, the town will not begin its due diligence.
McDonald mentioned he is bored with having to ask for cash he labored arduous to get.
“I can’t topic myself to this for the opposite two murals for the sake of my psychological well being,” he mentioned.
McDonald mentioned the delay in getting paid has affected his capacity to just accept different work as a result of it prices him upwards of $12,000 in preparation prices earlier than he even will get began.
‘I simply need to get my cash’
Ward 3 Coun. Nrinder Nann instructed CBC Hamilton in a e mail that one of many challenges with this system is “maybe [it] will not be structured in a means that works for artists.”
Nann mentioned she’s a “huge fan” of McDonald’s murals and his artwork has introduced “lots to our neighbourhoods in Ward 3.”
“It’s actually unlucky any artist in our metropolis would go so lengthy unpaid for his or her labour, expertise and time.”
Nann added it can be crucial that the town assessment this system to “keep away from artists going through this sort of scenario.”
McDonald’s mural of this biker that he painted on a Barton Avenue East constructing is one among two he is stilled owed for from work he did this summer time. (Aura Carreño Rosas/CBC)
Schleehahn mentioned metropolis workers plan to place ahead a brand new program that will see artists paid instantly and could have metropolis workers collaborate instantly with the Hamilton arts neighborhood, however that will not occur till 2026.
“Within the meantime, I simply need to get my cash and simply by no means take a look at that program once more,” mentioned McDonald, including he’ll doubtless search for work in different cities within the meantime.
“You’ll be able to’t work right here.”
McDonald mentioned different artists in Hamilton are going via related conditions, however are hesitant to talk out.
CBC Hamilton has not been capable of verify or join with different artists going via related experiences.
McDonald added that whereas his place as a longtime artist has allowed him to talk up, different native artists have been compelled to take day jobs and quit their studios as a consequence of delayed metropolis funds.
