Downtown New West is about to get a lot more colourful this weekend.
Locals, both young and old, are invited to help paint a mural on the wall between 428 and 502 Columbia St., near Army & Navy.
“We really liked the idea of participatory public art,” Coun. Mary Trentadue said of the community project, made possible through a $1,000 grant from the Vancouver Foundation. “We just thought Columbia Street is definitely coming along. We’re definitely changing the look of it, but we just wanted to add a bit more fun and a bit more colour (to it).”
Trentadue said the mural – designed by local artist Gillian Wright – will be scenic, incorporating the Pattullo Bridge, the Fraser River and possibly the tin solider. The brick-and-mortar canvas is roughly five feet tall and 52 feet long.
“Our hope is to get all kinds of people out, but to also to encourage kids to come along and paint on this wall,” she added.
If anyone’s worried about staying within the lines, Trentadue said don’t be.
“Of course we’d like to end up with something that is beautiful and does contribute to the community, but we don’t really want to be restrictive in how people paint.”
The event is being held on Aug. 8 and 9 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Whether both days are needed to get the job done, Trentadue couldn’t say.
“It really depends on how many people come and if it takes someone an hour to paint a pedal … or if they’re going to be more free form,” she noted. “We would love if we had 20, 30 people each day.”
Anyone who wants to participate is asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected]. There will be roughly 50 brushes on hand, but painters can bring their own tools from home.
The city recently installed a permanent Pride crosswalk in front of Heritage Grill.
