Three new utility cover designs honouring Snuneymuxw culture will be installed across Nanaimo soon, with the goal being to replace all the utility covers with the new designs over the next decade. Project team (L-R) Keith Reymerink, Joel Good, Aunalee Good, Annalisa Fipke, and Teresa Dohm.  (City of Nanaimo/Sean Fenzl)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

artistic covers

New Nanaimo utility covers showcasing artwork from Snuneymuxw First Nation

Feb 18, 2024 | 6:50 AM

NANAIMO — An artistic collaboration between the City and Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) will bring some unique artwork to the streets.

The City partnered with Ay Lelum, The Good House of Design and artist Joel Good, to honour SFN land and culture with three new designs for utility covers.

“From an ancestral lens, art holds important knowledge and reminds us of our connection and responsibilities to the natural world,” said SFN chief Michael Wyse. “We extend our gratitude to our Snuneymuxw artists who generously share their gifts with the community.”

The three new designs for storm, sanitary, and water covers feature different animals with symbolic meaning to the land and nature, while also symbolizing the City’s commitment to a safe and clean community.

The new storm cover designs feature supernatural eagles to represent resilience and protection, while the sanitary cover design features a frog to symbolize water purification, and an orca featured on water covers to symbolize power and strength. (City of Nanaimo/Sean Fenzl)

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“There are few things that add as much character to a city as art does, and when that art can honour both culture and history, we grow stronger as a community,” said Nanaimo mayor Leonard Krog. “Ay Lelum and Joel Good bring Snuneymuxw tradition and hul’q’umi’num culture to each of our streets with these beautiful designs, reminding us that we are all connected in this incredible city.”

The news utility cover designs will be installed and replace existing covers across the city over the next decade, according to a news release from the City.

More information on The Good House of Design can be found here, while artist Joel Good can be found online @JoelGoodArtist.

(City of Nanaimo/Sean Fenzl)

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