With funding from Westbank, the developer of the Woodward’s project, and the City of Vancouver Office of Cultural Affairs Public Art Department, 36 local residents and artists worked with an experienced public art educator to design a mural on the hoarding for this mega housing and commercial development.
The participants ranged from those with little or no arts experience to artists who had not been practicing due to health and other issues. Most were just surviving a marginalized existence either on the streets or in transient housing.
Professional development was a component of the project. Workshops were offered with established muralist, Richard Tetrault, who presented slide shows of past projects and offered support to artists throughout the process of creating the mural. Emerging artist, Guinevere Pencarrick, also offered a workshop on the effective use of colour.