Murals in the Market
An initiative run by the Punjabi Market Regeneration Collective (PMRC) to help facilitate storytelling along with discussions on racism and discrimination. This was done through public art by collaborating with local BIPOC artists to deliver a series of murals throughout Punjabi Market. Vancouver’s Punjabi Market was the first of its kind in North America. For the first time in its 51 year history, a series of 4 murals, curated by Jas Lally, were painted between 49th and 51st Avenues on Main Street in collaboration with VMF.
Mural Significance
VMF has seen how adding culturally significant and site-specific public art and murals to neighbourhoods has allowed communities to tell their story and draw new visitors to the area. The murals and public programming for Murals in the Market has helped support the local business in the Market through these challenging times. PMRC has noted a renewed sense of pride in the neighbourhood in their conversations with the community and in tangible investments made in the area by local independent business owners.
“Bringing public murals to Punjabi Market through our partnership with Vancouver Mural Festival has been tremendous not only in celebrating BIPOC artists, but also in sharing the history of Punjabi Market with a larger audience. Murals have helped create a renewed buzz in the neighbourhood and renewed hope for the future of the market”
- Jag Nagra, Creative Director of the Punjabi Market
Meet the artists
