Murality is a non-profit arts organization based in Vancouver with the goal of bringing colour and vitality to once-derelict areas of the Downtown Eastside. Through the use of murals, Murality aims to employ existing infrastructure to promote the creation of public spaces that celebrate diversity and creativity.

“Vancouver is a world-class city, but in the area of the arts, and especially public art, I think that we’re lacking – we’re not very visible in comparison to the rest of the world,” says Murality’s founder, Amalia Liapis. Murality hopes to change that by incorporating art into often-neglected Vancouver neighbourhoods. Amalia started Murality during a visit to Mexico City, where she was inspired by the vibrant and colourful murals giving life to even the most dilapidated areas of the city.

Murality’s First Project
The inaugural mural will be installed at 161 East Pender Street at the heart of Vancouver’s iconic Chinatown. Artists from Mexico – a country known for its Muralism movement – are currently submitting mural designs, with a winning design to be chosen in Summer 2014. The painting of the mural will be completed by the end of September 2015.

Collaboration with Jump for Joy
In conjunction with the contest mural, Aboriginal artist Eyoälha Baker will be utilizing the space for a photomural showcasing her photography project, Jump for Joy, which inspires positivity and joy by depicting over a hundred Vancouverites mid-jump. The photomural will be installed in late July and will be on display for one year.

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More information on the project is available at Murality’s website, www.murality.org. Photos from Jump for Joy and more details about the photomural can be viewed here.