Victoria Foundation unveils Canada 150 Mosaic mural

Posted on December 2, 2016 in General

For Immediate Release                                                       

December 1, 2016                                                                                                                                   

Victoria Foundation unveils Canada 150 Mosaic mural

VICTORIA, BC – Can you find your tile?

This past August, over the course of two days, Victorians gathered together in the courtyard at the Greater Victoria Public Library to each add their artistic talent to a large mural representing the spirit of the Capital Region.

Today, the Victoria Foundation is delighted to have, with the help of the Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant-Governor of BC, and Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Peter Fassbender, unveiled this mural to those who made it possible: the residents of Greater Victoria.

“We’re thrilled with the outcome of this truly community-based project,” said Board Chair Patrick Kelly. “This mural will be a point of pride for Victorians for years to come, a symbol of the spirit of the Capital Region.”

The 8’x12’ mural is now on display for all on the outside of the Waddington Building complex (home of the Greater Victoria Public Library’s Central Branch) on Broughton Street, directly beside the entrance to the City of Victoria parkade. Its design, featuring three Coast Salish-stylized Orcas, is by Victoria-based Kwagiulth artist, and Victoria Foundation board member, Carey Newman.

The mural commemorates Canada’s upcoming 150th anniversary and the Victoria Foundation’s 80th birthday by celebrating the Capital Region; its people, its surroundings, and its history. It is made up of 864 tiles – each four inches square – painted by Greater Victoria residents.

Since May 2015, towns, cities and villages across Canada have been creating individual murals depicting their community, under the guidance of Lewis Lavoie’s Mural Mosaic, a company based out of Alberta. Each mural incorporates a train car, which in spirit, will join the other murals to form a gigantic trans-continental train 150 train cars long.

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Background

Established in 1936, the Victoria Foundation is Canada’s second oldest community foundation and the sixth largest of nearly 200 nation-wide. The Victoria Foundation manages charitable gifts from donors whose generosity allows them to create permanent, income-earning funds. The proceeds from these funds are then distributed as grants for charitable or educational purposes. To date the Victoria Foundation has invested more than $158 million in people, projects and non-profit organizations that strengthen communities in B.C. and throughout Canada.

Media contact:
Kyle Wells, Communications Specialist

Victoria Foundation

P. 250.381.5532      C. 250.213.7131   E. kwells@victoriafoundation.bc.ca