Neighbourhood Mural Project

Aperçu:

Project Summary: The primary purpose for the Courtenay Business District Mural Project is to provide significant public and commercial benefits. The project will also provide a positive opportunity for community youth to work with established artists to create large scale, semi permanent, two-dimensional murals for display in public outdoor spaces. In conjunction with possible business affiliates and the City of Courtenay’s assistance, we can create a vibrant cultural window within the downtown core. The project supports a growing culture and infusion of language through connecting artists and local youths in collaboration. The designs are to be of original work from local artists via general input from property owners and municipal specifications regarding a theme. It will be up to mentors and assisting youth to create designs for final approval. Youths from many groups such as local schools and youth at risk programs will assist the artists as they are mentored throughout the 9 week project. These individuals will have an interest in learning about the creative process and receive hands-on mentoring, gaining valuable experience and a sense of accomplishment towards their community. Project Details: As part of a city beautification project and an extension of local education The Neighbourhood Mural Project has been proposed to the local municipality and businesses with a great acceptance and desire. Six selected muralists of professional caliber will be selected to mentor 5-6 youth each to help create contemporary and expressionistic murals. This project will take place in Courtenay's downtown core in the alleyways which harbor graffiti and transient populations. The purpose is to beautify our environment, to lead youth into a healthy community and create opportunity to express our ever changing culture. The Neighbourhood Mural Project will be a prominent focal point in the historic downtown core and would create an appealing, colorful impression by drawing viewers in to discover our city’s cultural expressions. The selected designs will support building holder's visions and concerns, the Business Improvement Association’s strategic plan, and Courtenay’s municipal agency approval and accreditation's. The benefits of this network are far reaching. From enhanced economic opportunities for businesses in the commercial corridor, youth involvement in their evolving community to overall presentation and expansion for tourism. The project will provide an opportunity for our community to see itself through the eyes of our youth and artists who can depict the community in a new light and a fresh way. In an attempt to diversify the artistic styles and get youth involved we envision a mix of contemporary, nature focused and freestyle urban art. Each mentoring artist (6) will host a team of youths (5-6) and all mentors will be conducted by the coordinator's regulatory work ethic and scheduling. Ongoing progress meetings will be held between the mentoring artists and the coordinator to ensure continuity of the project. The artwork will be durable, low maintenance, site specific and able to withstand outdoor exposure to the elements over time. The project takes into consideration an increase in volume of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, so some consideration of this will be necessary on the parts of the DCBIA and the City of Courtenay. The project (15 murals) is expected to take 9 weeks. The entire mural project will include preliminary renderings and will be constructed on and off site. The incentive behind the project is community engagement, a chance to connect a society and an educational experience for our youth. The rewards for supporters include recognition of their support, becoming a contributing factor to the success of the project. In it's dissemination I will be making presentations to the municipality and the community at large on the impact to society, in which demonstrations and the inclusion with other events will be manifested. The project will be well documented for archival purposes with supporters footnotes and accreditation. Prints will be made available to supporters in an album and framed originals of components that were supported by specific funding groups and individuals.