A mystery artist is creating watercolour paintings of local businesses in Windsor, Ont., then dropping them off anonymously, giving credit only to a Twitter and Instagram account for the unique works of art.

Bradd Bezaire, of the City Cyclery bike shop, said he found a painting this week that was carefully packaged in a manila envelope and tucked into the spokes of a bike in front of the store.

"I didn't really know what to think. I thought maybe it was a bill or something, I just didn't catch the mailman. But I opened it up and there was this nice water colour painting in there," Bezaire told CTV Windsor.

The small paintings have been showing up since January. They are not signed but come with a note referencing the "Windsor Gift Project," -- the handle used on the Twitter and Instagram accounts with the slogan: "Gifts. Presents. Appreciations. For those who know that #Windsor is worth it."

"Part of the charm of this whole thing is that it's a mystery, it's a secret who's doing this and I expect they're going to keep it a secret for a while just because it adds to the excitement of this project," said Grant Munroe of Biblioasis, one of the local shops that was gifted with a painting of its storefront.

Along with the publishing house and bicycle shop, a lounge, coffee bar, brew house, record store and shoe boutique have all received have also received mystery art depicting various aspects of their businesses.

Though the identity of those behind the project remains a mystery, they haven't shied away from maintaining a presence on social media.

 

 

Munroe said Windsor's thriving arts community is rarely recognized, but this project is shining a light on whoever is behind the project -- it's clearly an individual with a deep sense of pride for the city of Windsor.

"When we finally learn who this artist is and they come into the spotlight, I'll be the first person to shake their hand and thank them," he said.

With a report from CTV Windsor