#MakeArtWhileApart and Murals of Gratitude Brought Back to Life
This year – simultaneously on an individual and global level – we collectively experienced something that impacted all of our lives. The world, our country, our city and each of our own lives, families and friends were faced with a multitude of uncertainty, questions and emotions.
As the city shut down for quarantine, plywood hoarding began appearing on storefronts throughout the city as security barricades. This left many parts of Vancouver feeling like an eerie, deserted ghost town. That suddenly changed as hand painted tributes to Canada’s healthcare heroes began appearing on boarded up storefronts of local businesses in Gastown.
At the same time, Vancouver Mural Festival was planning murals in Downtown, Robson and South Granville to spark joy, inspire hope and celebrate resilience. In total, 60 murals were created as part of VMF’s #MakeArtWhileApart project.
Response to both grassroots initiatives – from the public, artists, and businesses – has been overwhelmingly positive and reinforces the importance of public art to inspire, heal, and bring people together, even while they are physically apart. The art and message is something everyone can share.
Understandably, many were unable to see the murals in-person this spring. So now, during Vancouver Mural Festival, we bring many of the murals back to life and invite you to experience them (again).
DOWNTOWN SHOPFRONT MURAL EXHIBIT at the Pendulum Gallery
Photography exhibit (25+ photos of murals by Gabriel Martins on display) from the #MakeArtWhileApart murals in downtown, plus select original, plywood installations. On now until September 18.
ROBSON STREET #MAKEARTWHILEAPART
re-installation in Eihu Lane and Bute featuring 5 original murals. Stop by nightly from 8-10pm during VMF to enjoy #MakeArtWhileApart mural and video projections. And don’t miss the Bute & Alberni Pop-Up Plaza with a stunning street mural by Atheana Picha while you’re there. On now until September 7.
featuring an extensive outdoor gallery with 38 murals in the alley along the railroad tracks (behind Water Street). On now until September 30.
Public space has always been valuable in bridging communities. Now, more than ever, it plays a key role in our recovery process. Murals help transform public spaces and serve as catalysts for addressing many socio-cultural issues. Key to that is collaboration between artists, businesses and the community. Together, we can help reignite our communities.
This summer, VMF has expanded to paint murals in 9 neighbourhoods across the city. Spreading murals to more neighbourhoods brings art to more communities while allowing more space to explore the city-wide murals and support local businesses and artists.
“This is a time for cultural and economic healing and we are energized that VMF can be a platform for artists to connect with and support businesses and communities. #MakeArtWhileApart brought these groups together in such a vivid way. It really drove home for us that Vancouver Mural Festival is needed in more communities now” - David Vertesi, Executive Director, Vancouver Mural Festival
Beautiful things happen when we come together. Thank you to all our sponsors, partners and supporters, and thank you to all the talented artists for sharing your inspiring murals with us and the world.
In the wise words of Dr. Bonnie Henry, “Be Kind. Be Calm. Be Safe.” Together, we’ll get through this!
The Murals of Gratitude exhibit is curated by the Museum of Vancouver, in collaboration with the Gastown BIA, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the City of Vancouver, CP Rail, Vancouver Mural Festival, and Low Tide Properties.
The Downtown Shopfront Murals Exhibit is a collaboration between VMF and the Downtown Vancouver BIA. The Robson Street re-installation project has been made possible by the Robson Street BIA. Additional support for the original #MakeArtWhileApart project was provided by Vancity and the City of Vancouver.
