The latest mural inside the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, located to the right off of the main entrance, is the artistic part of the BC Human Rights Commissioner's report on the rise of hate during the pandemic, showing a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

humanity in art

‘From dark to light:’ new Nanaimo mural designed to spark light in times of darkness

Dec 14, 2023 | 5:46 PM

NANAIMO — Nanaimo’s newest piece of public art is designed to bring people together and foster community inclusion and belonging.

The new mural, showcasing a caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly, now adorns the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre, stemming from the BC Humans Rights Commissioner’s report on the rise of hate during the pandemic.

The idea for the mural came from local non-profit Risebridge’s IBPOC summer youth program, co-designed and painted by Humanity in Art, a pair of Vancouver Island artists who specialize in turning bland walls into colourful works of art.

13-year-old Nanaimo resident Hisham attended the summer youth group and helped pitch ideas for the mural.

“This mural is representing a caterpillar growing into a butterfly over time, and it goes from dark to light in the background. That’s representing everything we hate, the dark, and it just grows, and the butterfly eventually flowers in the sun. I was actually the one who pitched that idea, and it came to life in the mural.”

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13-year-old Hisham spoke about his personal experiences with racism and hate, while also speaking passionaetly about how hate and bigotry is learned. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

This mural is the last of four murals revealed across the province, building on the final report of the Commissioner’s inquiry into hate during the pandemic, “From Hate to Hope.”

The other murals are showcased in Vancouver, Fort. St. John, and Keremeos.

Hisham said he’s experienced racism since he was a child, and has witnessed other incidents of racism and hate in the classroom and around his community.

He’s also grateful for local inclusive groups and initiatives, including Risebridge’s summer youth programs.

“I feel like it’s a very inclusive program. They take all ideas, they don’t just exclude people. They listen, and everybody who runs it are very nice people.”

B.C.’s human rights commissioner Kasari Govender was planning to attend in person but was forced to attend virtually due to a cancelled flight due to low-hanging fog.

While acknowledging some movement from the province, Govender said the government has taken “far too small of steps in the right direction” when it comes to addressing racism in B.C.

The Nanaimo Aquatics Centre was chosen as the murals location because it was targeted by racist, homophobic, and transphobic vandalism this fall, according to the office of the human rights commissioner.

This isn’t the first mural painted by Humanity in Art for Nanaimo.

A literacy-inspired mural painted by the pair was unveiled at the Vancouver Island Regional Library in Nanaimo in August.

Artists Lys Glassford (left) and Lauren Semple of Humanity in Art (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow