Russell Morland (left), Kara Dee Harrison (centre) and Austin Weflen (right) and their respective mural spaces. (submitted/Hub City Walls)

By Spencer Sterritt

bright colours

Downtown Nanaimo mural festival pressing ahead with local artists

Jul 13, 2020 | 10:45 AM

NANAIMO — COVID-19 won’t prevent a first-of-its kind event in Nanaimo from allowing local artists to brighten up downtown Nanaimo.

Organizers of the Hub City Walls festival are pivoting to a more locally focused event during the pandemic. The initial plan of a 10-day festival in early August with international artists was quickly adjusted and now features three Nanaimo artists bringing their trademark styles to public spaces downtown.

Lauren Semple, one half of the duo Humanity in Art, told NanaimoNewsNOW the three spaces now being used – 151 Front St., 95 Cavan St. and 119 Skinner St. – were the first three they pitched to the City of Nanaimo as mural spaces.

“The artists are really excited to get going this year. We love the focus is really going to be on them and their artwork, which we think is a really authentic place to grow this from.”

Semple said they heard calls of support from artists and the community when trying to craft their event during the pandemic.

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“People seem really pumped up about the creation of the murals, which is obviously at the core of the festival and the core of the purpose of Hub City Walls. Their energy definitely helped power us along the route of planning and pivoting and making the adjustments we needed.”

The initial idea for the festival was going to be supported by a Downtown Event Revitalization grant from the City of Nanaimo and separate fundraising.

Given the pandemic, Semple said it wasn’t an appropriate time to solicit donations so they’re solely using the grant money provided by the City.

“We’re really happy the City was willing to work with us. It’s Nanaimo artists, Nanaimo walls, publicly owned and solely-funded by the City.”

It’s hoped the new iteration of Hub City Walls will provide a snapshot of what a larger festival could accomplish for downtown Nanaimo.

“It’s almost like a soft launch of the bigger idea we hope to get to in the coming years when conditions allow for it,” Semple said. ” Had we not gone ahead with the inaugural year, even in its altered form, we would have started from square one in 2021. And what is 2021 going to look like?”

All three murals will be painted between Aug. 5 and 15, with progress being shared online as they come together.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @SpencerSterritt