Coquitlam looks to kickstart municipal mural program

By Jeremy Shepherd ● Arts, Coquitlam ● July 6, 2023

The site of a potential mural on Brunette Avenue. photos supplied

This article has been amended to correct an address error.

Coquitlam may be getting a touch-up.

The city is inviting professional artists to apply for a 2023-2024 mural program intended to: “beautify the city and enliven commercial areas to increase the appeal of Coquitlam for residents, businesses, and visitors.”

The Spirit Square parking lot is set to get some paint.

Working on the themes of “belonging and diversity,” selected artists will be asked to create murals at three locations in the city.

Futural murals

The Spirit Square parking lot at 1198 Pinetree Way is set to get a 3,400 square foot mural.

The space at 953 Brunette Ave. is slated to get two murals of 960 and 192 square feet, respectively.

The city is also planning for a 320-square foot mural at 928 Brunette Ave.

Guidelines

The city is set to judge submissions based on mural experience, an ability to produce murals that reflect community identity, and an ability to work with city staff, the community, and the area businesses.

A mural is set to adorn this 960-square foot space on Brunette Avenue.

“The murals also need be visually appealing, not promote any goods and services of any businesses, and shall not violate any federal, provincial, or local laws,” according to guidelines posted by the city. “The artwork shall not convey partisan politics, negative imagery, religious, and/or sexual content.”

Submissions must be filed by 2 p.m. Friday.

Author

Jeremy Shepherd

A chiropractor and a folk singer, after having one great kid, decided to push their luck and have one more, a boy they named Jeremy Shepherd.

Shepherd grew up around Blue Mountain Park in Coquitlam, following a basketball around and trying his best to get to the NBA (it didn’t work out, at least not yet).

With no career plans after graduating Porter Elementary school, Jeremy Shepherd pursued higher education at Como Lake Middle School and eventually, Centennial High School.

Approximately 1,000 movies and several beers later in life, Shepherd made a change.

Having done nothing worth writing, he decided to see if he could write something worth reading.

Since graduating journalism school at Langara College, Shepherd has been a reporter, editor and, reluctantly, a content provider for community newspapers around Metro Vancouver for more than 10 years.

He worked with dogged reporters, eloquently indignant curmudgeons and creative photographers, all of whom shared a little of what they knew.

Now, as he goes about the business of raising two fascinating humans alongside a wonderful partner, Shepherd is delighted to report news and tell stories in the Tri-Cities.

He runs, reads, and is intrigued by art, science, smart cities and new ideas. He is pleased to meet you.

Futural murals

Guidelines

Author

Jeremy Shepherd

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